Unleash, Session 1
Perry Noble

My notes and thoughts…
-The myth behind growing churches is style. Growing churches happen because of leadership. And it is Godly leadership that makes the difference.

Four Leadership Principles from the Life of Moses
1) Moses simply listened to God and obeyed Him. That’s what Godly leadership is: Listening to God and then acting on what He says to do.

-Time with God is the most important thing a pastor does. The pastor has to be listening to God! [Hebrews 13:17, Haggai 1:7-8, Haggai 2:9]

-In Scripture, God never gave a vision to a committee. He always gave it to a man.

My thoughts…
Thank God for The Purpose Driven Church. God changed my life and many others through Rick Warren and that book. It brought the church from being program driven to purpose driven. I believe that the church God is building now is the “Spirit Driven Church.” [And don’t send me emails saying that the PDC is spirit inspired. I already said it changed my life.] What I’m saying is that the churches I see out there that are really growing are the ones with leaders who are asking God to speak and when He does; they listen – and then act.

2) Moses did not compromise the vision God gave to him. Powerful people in your church will always try to altar your vision for your church. [Exodus 2:5-27]

A lot of church leaders today talk about closing the “backdoor.” Perry says it’s okay to have backdoor. He reminded us that the church is a body…so it needs a backdoor ☺.

Perry challenged pastors and church leaders to be prophets with the vision and carry it out through the people. Not a prostitute with the vision who sells it to the highest bidder.

*If you are a church planter, that statement is GOLD!

3) Moses didn’t try to do it all. [Numbers 11:14-17]

Surround yourself with Godly people. Learn to delegate. Give away ministry. Give away responsibility.

Also, pastors have to learn to rest. Perry says that a preacher should only be up on Sundays about 40 to 42 times a year. I LIKE THIS!

Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas of The Journey (www.nyjourney.com) do a great job of team teaching. I think they have about three guys on staff who are all good communicators. That gives Nelson time to rest and unwind. I think over the years it has helped him become an even better communicator.

4) Moses was willing to attempt the impossible. [Deuteronomy 6:10-12]

Perry said to spend time with God, get His vision, dream big and never compromise it.

I think one of the reasons we compromise is because of fear. One of the big fears that tempts us to compromise is the fear of money. Money should never be an excuse for dreaming big and staying with the vision. Perry: “If it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill!”

My thoughts…
A lot of church leaders (finance committees) look at money like a pie. And they cut it up into little slices and under fund God’s vision. What we fail to realize is that God is the BAKER. When one pie is gone He just bakes another – or many more – whatever His vision requires.

Don’t make money your excuse for compromising God’s dream for your life and church!