Leadership Principals

Repair the Broken Places

 He was excited and anxious to hear all the latest news from Jerusalem His relative had just arrived with all the details. But one of the shortest men in the Bible, (He was only knee high my ah! Just kidding.) Nehemiah grew pale as his relative related the tragic news. The city is burned and the walls are broken.

  Maybe you’re like me. I’m concerned over the children of this nation. I’m concerned about the anger and lack of discipline I see. I’m concerned about our school system. It’s easy to become despaired, but don’t despair. God has called you to repair.

 Step 1: Pray. Nehemiah wept and fasted, seeking God desperately. Don’t forget to pray for the teachers in both the public, private and home schools. Pray that God will use them. Pray that God will protect them and give them the wisdom and patience they need. Pray daily for them. Find out the name of the principals of the schools that your children attend. Your children will know. Even if that list is long, pray over the principals. Have your children pray for their schools every time you pray. Tell the teachers you are praying and ask them if they have specific requests. Even if they are not open, keep praying.

 Step 2: Ask for direction. Nehemiah asked God for direction. God must have given it too, because when he talked to the king, he had a detailed plan. God has a plan for you to reach the children of your church and community. Ask God for the plan. Wait in His presence for that plan. He might direct you to a book or a person for help in fine-tuning that plan.

 Step 3: Share you vision. Involve others. Nehemiah shared the need and the dream with King Artaxerxes. He shared specific needs and asked for help in specific areas. He asked the king for a leave of absence, for a letter of recommendation and supplies. He got what he requested.

Even with the king’s backing, building the wall would have not been possible without the support of hard working people. If you are going to reach your dream, you must involve others. Often people would help if they knew they were needed. Communicate where you are going and how you are going to get there. Don’t share the vision once and stop. Keep the vision before the people. Sell them on the vision. Help them to buy into the vision by seeing where they can fit in the big picture.

 

Step 4: Work the Plan

. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. —Thomas Edison

 Get busy. Ministry is work. Divide the tasks into small tasks and begin to make a single step toward that goal. Fine tune the steps if necessary, but keep going toward the goal.

Nehemiah divided the wall into sections as named by the gates. He placed people in family groups on the wall. It was organized.

I am so concerned when I go into a class and there is no organization. Do you have a schedule for what happens in your class? Do the workers have a copy? Do they have policy and procedure manuals that set them up for success? What processes can you put in place to make them effective in their role?

 

Step 5: People Were His First Priority

He wanted to rebuild the walls to benefit the people, not his personal agenda. When the people had needs his goal was never more important than the needs of the people. He equipped them properly. He walked among their ranks to stay aware of their needs and progress. In Tom Peters A Passion For Excellence he recommends MBWA (Management By Wandering Around) for leaders that want happy customers and co-workers. Nehemiah used that management style. It is time for children’s pastors and leaders to begin to practice it as well. What is working and what is not working in your Sunday school or children’s church?

  

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