Gilbert from Ghana, Part 2 on Leadership

Gilbert Quarcoopome

Gilbert is a graduate of United Graduate College and Seminary International. He has completed his Bachelor of Christian Leadership and will resume his studies for his Masters soon. This is part 2 of a 4-part writing on Christian Leadership. See part 1 in previous posting.
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The Christian leader also comforts the sheep, binding up their wounds and applying the balm of compassion and love. As the great Shepherd of Israel, the Lord Himself promised to “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (Eze 34:16). As Christians in the world today, we suffer many injuries to our spirits, and we need compassionate leaders who will bear our burdens with us, sympathize with our circumstances, exhibit patience toward us, encourage us in the Word, and bring our concerns before the Father’s throne.

Just as the shepherd uses his crook to pull a wandering sheep back into the fold, so the Christian leader corrects and disciplines those in his care when they go astray. Without rancor or an overbearing spirit, but with a “spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6:2), those in leadership must correct according to scriptural principles. Correction or discipline is never a pleasant experience for either party, but the Christian leader who fails in this area is not exhibiting love for those in his care. “The LORD disciplines those he loves” (Prov 3:12), and the Christian leader must follow His example.

The final role of the Christian leader is that of protector. The shepherd who was lax in this area soon found that he regularly lost sheep to the predators who prowled around—and sometimes among—his flock. The predators today are those who try to lure the sheep away with false doctrine, dismissing the Bible as quaint and old fashioned, insufficient, unclear, or unknowable. These lies are spread by those against whom Jesus warned us:  “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt 7:15). Our leaders must protect us from the false teachings of those who would lead us astray from the truth of the Scripture and the fact that Christ alone is the way of salvation (John 14:6).

“Under the plan of God those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness. Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples' feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no Christian leader has a right to think of himself as a bigwig.”

Christian Leadership – Part 1 by Gilbert Quarcoopome, Ghana Africa

Gilbert Quarcoopome

Gilbert Quarcoopome lives in Ghana Africa. He has a Bachelors of Christian Leadership with United Graduate College and Seminary International and is preparing for his Masters program. This is part 1 of a 4-part article on Christian Leadership.

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One of the most difficult roles ever in this life in my opinion is Christian Leadership. In describing Christian leadership we need to recognize that it operates in two realms: the spiritual and the physical. An adequate definition therefore must recognize that while the Christian leader is called to operate in the physical realm in order to do so effectively and be efficient they must, as a matter of priority, also draw upon the resources offered through the spiritual realm from the original source, which is God Almighty. This means having a gift of leadership conferred by God, which is developed through an intimacy with Him and honed by instruction in leadership principles and skills. Together these lead to the insight and influence necessary to lead effectively.

The Christian leader must first be “Spiritually” connected to its source and a “Leader” second. There is no better and finer example for Christian leadership than what our Lord Jesus Christ showed us whiles on earth when He declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” – (John 10:11). It is within this verse that we see the perfect description of a Christian leader. He is one who acts as a shepherd to those “sheep” in his care. Also in Mk 10:42-45, Jesus explained clearly the principle under girding Christian leadership in which those who rule must not lord it over them but rather seek to serve.

Based on these two scriptures, I believe that the real definition and function of a Christian leader is clearly stated without ambiguity. We would therefore, look at a few characteristics of a Christian leader from these two passages.

When Jesus called us His sheep, He was saying that without a shepherd, we are helpless. The shepherd is one who has several roles in regard to his sheep. He leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects and protects. The shepherd of the Lord’s flock leads by modeling godliness and righteousness in his own life and encouraging others to follow his example. Of course, our ultimate example and the One we should follow is Christ Himself.

The Apostle Paul understood this so he made a categorical statement that: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). The Christian leader is one who follows Christ and inspires others to follow Him as well.

The Christian leader therefore must have and possess certain characteristics based on scripture. The Christian leader as a shepherd is also a feeder and a nourisher of the sheep and the ultimate “sheep food” is the Word of God. Just as the shepherd leads his flock to the lushest pasture so they will grow and flourish, so the Christian leader nourishes his flock with the only food, which will produce strong, vibrant Christians. The Bible not the world’s wisdom is the only diet that can produce healthy Christians. “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deut 8:3; Matt 4:4).

Counseling/Coaching Philosophy - Two is Better Than One

Prof. Donella Pitzl, PhD

Prof. Donella Pitzl, PhD writes on life, purpose and the need for others to come along side during our journey through life. She is a Board Certified Master Life Coach and has her PhD in Biblical Counseling with emphasis on Kingdom Character Building.

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It has been my observation during the course of my life and my studies that mankind, as a whole, is at a loss without hope and encouragement. Not only are we overrun by our life circumstances, but also, we really do not know why we are on the earth. For many, making ends meet, striving to become a professional at something, or raising a family is not enough incentive in life, and rightly so. God’s Word addresses how a lack of vision in life affects us, it speaks of a “perishing.” In every culture and society across the globe mankind in general suffers from a lack of vision and understanding. The result is strife, greed, violence, suffering, lack of provision and integrity to name a few. This state of being is very contrary to the plan of our Creator for His creation. It is my intention in life to address God’s answers, provide tools and challenge old mindsets in the hope that the Life of God and hope will be embraced and we can change the direction of our state of being.

We have been blessed with those that have discovered they are gifted to offer good Christian counseling and coaching. I am a firm believer in the importance of good counsel and coaching. In Ecc 4:12 it says, "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."  

There are many lines of thinking and approaches to aiding mankind and addressing the difficulties of existence on the earth. I have participated in programs that have been created to help people. I have been involved in Christian counseling with varying results. In my studies of and interaction with the methods to help people, even Christian programs, I find a lack of long lasting results. Statistics show that in programs like AA and even Christ-centered recovery programs, there is under a 20% true recovery rate and that is being generous. 

The central strength of these programs is that they encourage you to find help by interacting with others and having accountability - two are better than one. So why the low percentage of long lasting results? In my personal experience with these programs I discovered there is an emphasis on our mistakes and “cleaning up” our past, but very little on learning our purpose for being on the earth and discovering what our future can become by creating a pathway of discovery. We can work all day long on cleaning up our life but if we do it just to relieve pain, if we don’t get to the root of the pain, the pain will return again and again. If we don’t discover the “why” of our existence, we will perish as our troubles remain to haunt us.

I believe we have to combine good Christian counsel, coaching, support, and engage in activities that are holistic and well rounded. Thus, in my work, I encourage and engage in both good Godly counsel and also guidance and empowerment in an interactive program of personal discovery and kingdom character development.

My hearts desire and vision is to offer practical tools to build a life that reflects God’s intentions and strengthens one to face the difficulties of life - facing the journey with integrity of character that only comes from the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Jesus Christ.

Be blessed in the knowledge that you do not have to face life alone. If you truly want help, help is there for you. Face the challenge and the  hard work and seek it out. God truly makes a way for HIs people, His creation.

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PROPHETIC WORD SPOKEN OVER BURUNDI AFRICA

Prof. Clyde Rivers

Prof. Clyde Rivers, Honorary Ambassador at Large for Republic of Burundi hears the Word of the Lord for Burundi. 

The Spirit of the Lord says, “I will now fight the enemies that fight you. It is a new day in Burundi I have turned the page. You will no longer have famine - you will have riches. You will have prosperity from the kingdom of God because your country’s leadership seeks first My kingdom. Now all these things will be added to you. Burundi, you are a model nation of the wisdom of God and I will shine your light all over the world. I take no pride in status, says the Lord, but I look for those that have gratitude for what they have received. Though you are a small nation, says the Lord, your light will shine bright and the whole world will see the goodness that has come from a small nation that obeys Me. Isaiah 60 is your decree and it is your God that they will see, says the Lord.”

Rita Enos

Rita is a Certified Master Christian Life Coach. She obtained her education online from International Coaching School, Founder, Prof. Clyde Rivers and Director and Co-Founder, Prof. Donella Pitzl. Her certification is  authorized and accredited by UACCMI, United Association of Christian Churches and Ministers International, Founder, Dr. Martin Wisor. This is her testimony regarding her coach training.

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First, this program has challenged me, mostly in the way I go about helping people. Being a Pastor for twelve years, you become accustom to counseling people, especially when circumstances arise in their lives. I have learned to give them knowledge and wisdom in what it is I believe will help them in their situation. As I began this Coaching Course it helped me transition into coaching people instead of counseling. I do believe there are moments in time that counseling is necessary, based on the individual needs.

The differences I experienced between coaching and counseling is the answers are in the people, they just have not discovered it. As I have discussed different situation with clients and used the different techniques, the answer usually comes out. It is being patience with them allowing the client to express their thoughts and feelings. I also liked that it made them responsible to their situation, instead of me trying to get them out of the circumstance. Coaching clients brings a more openness, and an atmosphere of discovery. I have seen that this has really made an impact on our church today. People feel that they have a voice to express themselves in a safe environment. I have enjoyed transforming into a coach verse a counselor.

Secondly, having the ability to apply God’s word, in different situations, is a huge component for me. The obstacles I dealt with the most are peoples thought processes. I am learning to help them combat their thoughts with the word of God and allow the client to express their thoughts as I keep notes. Noting what their thoughts are about themselves and/or their situations.

I have implemented the training I received from the International Coaching Schools (ICS) in our Women’s Ministry that I am currently leading. Our Women’s Ministry meets once a month. This has given me the opportunity to increase my skills I have received in the Christian Life Coaching Program. This is the material that I use in teaching, training and ministering to the women.

The ladies were asked, “How would they like to see themselves at the end of the year?” I came up with 10 questions to ask. This gave them insight on how well they full fill a goal they would set for themselves. Each lady answered the questions given. Using the open-ended question guidelines. What were your goals last year? What areas did you challenge yourself? What have you overcome? Where did you grow the most? Looking back at your goal from last year, what evidence do you see in your life that is congruent with the goal? Where would you say your state of mind is? What are your goals for this year? What is it going to take to get you to apprehend your goal? What areas do you feel hold you back from obtaining these goals? How serious are you about obtaining your goal?

I have continued to meet with the ladies twice a month, encouraging them and also e-mailing throughout the week, keeping them accountable and coaching them through this process. This has been beneficial to the ladies and also to me. It has established trust, unity, new relationships and spiritual connection. This has created an atmosphere for coaching.

Using a group exercise I learned in the training, the ladies had an opportunity to learn the difference between facts and fiction in their lives. Hebrews 4:12 NLT says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is shaper that the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul, spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” I explained to the ladies the importance of the power of God’s word, how it exposes our thoughts. I had them pair up with other women and had them share their thoughts that they struggle with. Then they had to get in the word of God and counteract those thoughts.

It was explained to the ladies that knowing God’s word is vital to your Christian walk. It is important to get in His word daily, memorize scriptures. It combats those wrong thoughts that we have towards ourselves that are contraire to God’s word. I also, gave the ladies some facts about our mind. We have approximately 30,000 thoughts on an average day. We have a different thought every 1.2 seconds. We have 21 thoughts per minutes. Eighty seven percent to ninety five percent of the illnesses, that plague us today, are a direct result of our thought life. Our thoughts are a powerful thing. Proverbs 23:7 says, “ For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

To build trust, I created an exercise that would help the ladies understand that we all need help and we need to trust others. In this exercise I gave the ladies a chance to experience hands on learning. Once we completed the exercise we debriefed. I asked open-ended questions to see what they were feeling. What were your feelings? What emotions were you dealing with? What was going through your mind? Where you having a hard time trusting? What did you learn about yourself?

It was interesting to see what the ladies shared and a lot of them had great moments of learning about who they were. Most people don’t know how to ask for help or to trust others; this was a great exercise to teach exactly that. The moral of this exercise is you need help along the way, whether it is Jesus himself, or people He puts into your life that you can trust.

         As I prepare for the Women’s Ministry I do take into consideration the things I learned from ICS, and see how I could use it in the message that I would be bringing forth. I am teaching the ladies the skills that I have obtained through Christian Life Coaching. Also through this year of teaching the women, I have been asked by some of the ladies to coach them personally on some things that they need help with. This training has opened up doors for me that would not have been available to me without the schooling I received. As the Women’s Ministry grows, I would like to start teaching other women how to Life Coach using the material and training that I received. Also, with this training, my hope is to help each women individually and to see them walk into their destiny.

       These are just a few examples of what I have used from the training I received. I am going to continue to use the exercise of setting goals at the beginning of each year to give other ladies the opportunity to work with me in obtaining their goals.  I will also use some of the ladies that have completed the process this year to help me with the new ladies coming in next year.

Using these different techniques has opened me up to a unique way of helping and dealing with people. It is gratifying to see a client transform, right in your midst. These tools have also helped our pastors, leadership and congregation get to the next level in their ministry. Setting goals and holding them accountable has released a lot of responsibility on me. I will continue to use these tools that I have learned in taking this Coaching Program with ICS.

Submitted by Rita Enos, California, USA

Leadership and Youth Development

Gebru Abraha - Ethiopia

Gebru Abraha is an alumni of United Graduate College and Seminary International. He is a UGCS Regional Representative in Ethiopia and is currently working on his Doctorate with United Graduate College and Seminar.

The fact that I have been under different leaders has made me fortunate enough to study many leadership styles. In the way along, I observed a few leaders that were exceptional, while others fell flat. The exceptional leaders were capable of leading their followers to their esteemed vision. Thus the title leadership alone is not sufficient in the essence of societal transformation. That is why it is said that leadership is more than having the title leader. There are several aspects that make up a good Christian leader. A good leader is first a servant, a good leader is one who loves his followers, and a good leader is capable as well as credible.

Good Leadership is important because it provides an inspirational figure to lead groups or people towards great accomplishments. Leadership can provide a foundation for ideas to show that anything is possible, to make the invisible visible. Leadership plays an important role in the development of youth. Since youth are the future of a society, societal success depends on what their future actions are going to be. Nelson Mandela the freedom fighter and the former President of South Africa once said ‘‘the youths of a country are the valued possessions of a nation. Without them there can be no future’’. Indeed the future development of a nation depends on how well the youth are cultivated. When the youth of a society or a nation have not been given due attention, the nation goes down, or the society perishes.

In developing countries, the majority of their population is youth. Nearly 40 percent of their population is between the ages 15-30. Young people in such societies are now growing under circumstances unfamiliar to previous generations. They experience powerful socio-ecological impact due to globalization. The world has now become closely connected. Though the youth have more freedom now, this comes with responsibilities. These responsibilities appear right in the early ages of the youth before they are able to carry on the responsibilities. Family relationship is being reduced to only a few members. Societies that were characterized by extended families are now breaking down into only two or three members in a family. Money is misguiding many people.

Leadership in such societies has double responsibility and must give proper attention to youth development. The leadership must design a system to support social, economic and environmental livelihoods of the youth. Not only appointed leaders but also community elders should shoulder the responsibility.

Since the needs of the youth are immense and urgent we must protect them from developing bad addictions. We should find ways to decrease destructive behavior in the youth’s life and increase their positive behavior. Youth should be taught about how to get good defense against certain behavior initiated diseases such as HIV or other diseases related to smoking, drinking, and unhealthy eating and drug addiction. We must transform the desires of the body to the desires of the soul. A big barrier for personality growth of the youth can be the overflow of emotions and rush of blood associated with their age. Despite this fact we must help them to learn how their emotions can be used positively and how they can make a difference in the society they live in. They should learn to conceive a purposeful life that not only fulfils their needs but also has impact on others and even those they may have to teach later in their life. In this regard the leadership and senior community members must show their Christian brotherhood to the youth, for the Lord says, “So we who are many are one body in Christ and individually member’s one of another.” Romans 12:5

Youth Development by its very nature requires personality and character building. The healthy individuals have better capability of grasping and adopting positive attitudes. Improved health habits and improved health risk management skills can therefore be obtained through physical development.

To help young people better adapt to their environment, enhancement of their intellectual ability is crucial. They should be helped in recognizing their own spiritual gifts and strengths and how they can benefit through them. As the Holy Bible says, “In everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and knowledge.” Corinthians 1:5

In developing their positive attitude, the youth should learn also about how to practice sympathy, humility and respect and how they can be beneficial to society as a whole. They must be helped to understand the importance of planning for the future and future life event, spirituality or a sense of a “larger” purpose in life, interconnectedness and interdependence and strong moral character.

To conclude, since our life in this world is limited we must live our limited life without regret and for this we have intellectual capacity and wisdom. We must be able to lead people in bad situations to a better one. Only if we follow God’s path we can live our life without regret.

Proverbs 9:10 says, ‘‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” hence a good Christian leader who fears God will have all his paths paved and will successfully develop the youth of his nation to be useful citizens. This is how a leader is ultimately evaluated.

By Gebru Abraha - Ethiopia

“Neither height nor depth nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39 

GOD EXALTS HIS NAMED AND HIS WORD

Pastor David Mwasota
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

The following is part of the work of one of our United Graduate College and Seminary students in Tanzania Africa. Pastor David is a Bachelors student of Christian Leadership with an emphasis on Biblical Counseling. This excerpt of one of his case studies is  amazing. What a testimony of the power of God to move on our behalf if we truly believe. What an example of the importance of bringing our thoughts into the realm of aligning with the thoughts of God to produce the results God would like to give His children. Enjoy this testimony!

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A SERVICE WITH WOMEN IN MBEYA REGION IN TANZANIA

Two months ago when I was counseling a group of women in Mbeya, the Holy Spirit gave me a verse in the book of Mark 11:23 to use to counsel this group of women who were very much depressed. The seminar was very good; it attracted the attention of many women.

Last week when I visited the same village, one woman came out of the congregation in the Sunday church service to give her testimony and thanks giving; she started by saying that God had given her a miracle, that she had a problem in her inherited land which was about ten acres land but only one acres could be activated, the rest was a mountain which could not be used as farm since it was full of stones and rocks. She went on saying that, “Mark 11:23, was purely given to me that, ‘I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain, go, throw, yourself into sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believe that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.’”

THE OUTCOME OF MEDITATION

The woman said, “I meditated on the scripture with all my strength, because practically I needed that scripture to ensure the “mountain” is removed and leave me with a big land for cultivation. I meditated on it strongly. The following week a construction company came to my house saying that we are told that mountain belongs to you. We are in need of the stones that are found in your mountain. They gave me some money, as they were saying they are buying the stones that are in my mountain. I was given a lot of money and eventually they had removed the entire mountain. After the exercise, I was left with money and a big land without a mountain, hence as for now I am left with a big land for cultivation and money.” She was responding to the command given in Palms 107:1 that states, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures for ever.”

DIVINE COUNSEL OF THE OMNIPOTENT GOD

God is so good and very good as He has said in Isaiah 46:10, “I make the end from the beginning, from ancient time what is to come. I say My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.” The removal of that mountain in a woman’s land was announced before she got birthed; and this was the very day the Word could reveal itself. I thank the Sovereign Lord as He has given me an instructed tongue to know the Word that sustains the weary.

THE ESSENCE OF THE WORD OF GOD

The significant point underlying the Word of God is found in Joshua 1:8 that commands, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

GOD EXALTS HIS NAMED AND HIS WORD

The woman meditated strongly on the Word, the promise of God in Mark 11:23, and alas the mountain was removed. This is because the woman clearly knew Psalms 138:2, which states that, “I will bow down towards Your Holy temple and I will praise Your name for Your love and Your faithfulness for You have exalted above all things above all things Your Name and Your Word.” The secret underlying the Word is that, “God is not man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind.” Numbers 23:19 This is why the mountain, which was troubling the woman had to be removed because the woman was promised in Deut. 23:14, “For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.” 

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Thank you Pastor David for your faithfulness to hold forth the Word of Life. You are changing lives and you do have the gift of instruction! Blessings to you!