Weekly Thought – July 31,2018

Fred’s contribution to Christianity Today, International through board service, mentoring, and author represented a deep stream in his experience. His ability to influence thousands of Christian leaders allowed him to use his giftedness to stretch others.

Thank you for helping Fred’s words continue to impact new generations of leaders. Your financial support enables us to continue this weekly email. We appreciate you.

A Leadership Born of Faith

As I think about spiritual leadership, I become convinced that the key is in the Holy Spirit’s energizing and directing the leader’s uniqueness and gifts by giving him or her a vision that creates a passion. I have never known a lazy or confused leader who had a clear sense of passion.

For twenty years I’ve been writing for Christian leaders. I’ve spoken to many groups, large and small. I realize this is a difficult time to be a Christian leader in an almost totally secular society whose great renewed interest in spirituality is cultish, not Biblical. Christian leaders have lost of the respect they once held. Burnout is common. Depression is almost epidemic. And stress seems to be the norm. Immorality and divorce are increasing. Short tenures become the rules rather than the exception. More and more preachers and teachers are faced with the demand for entertainment in their message and excitement in their programs.

Could a major part of the problem be that leaders have lost their vital identification with the Lord? Have they become convinced they work for the congregants’ acceptance rather than for God? Those who feel they work as employees of the church board surrender their spiritual leadership and authority.

I believe spiritual leadership is based on faith in God’s provision and direction. It is a calling, not a career. I have great respect for a prominent minister who privately told me, “I would be glad to get out of the ministry if God would let me off the hook. In fact, if He doesn’t keep me in it, I want out.” But I know he wouldn’t want out if this is where God has him.

It is possible, even probable, that some in Christian leadership are misplaced. Leaders who are not endowed with gifts energized by the Spirit become easy prey for the human methodology of leadership. This opens them to the temptations of power, prestige, and money. Those who are there by the working of the Spirit have a calling to fulfill, not a profession to pursue. They have a strong feeling of stewardship but little feeling of ownership. They are great by serving. They know joy!

This week think about: 1) How diligently am I praying for my pastor? 2) What am I called to do for the Kingdom? 3) Who needs a word of encouragement from me this week?

Words of Wisdom: “I have never known a lazy or confused leader who had a clear sense of passion.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:35 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – July 10, 2018

Fred’s influencers included ancient Catholic mystics like Francois Fenelon, early 20th century teachers like Oswald Chambers, and contemporaries like Ray Stedman, Ramesh Richard, and Steve Brown. Their diverse backgrounds were all built with one shared commonality: the grace of God.

Please join us in praying for the What’s Next Roundtable events this fall. As we travel to campuses in order to begin conversations and create connections about values necessary to prepare them for the next steps, stand with us.

Freedom of Grace

Grace was genuine, real, personal, and palpable to the great saints. Examples like Brother Lawrence, Frank Laubach, and Francois Fenelon had no doubt they were the constant recipients of God’s amazing grace. It was a practical part of their everyday lives. For example, Brother Lawrence said that whenever he made a mistake he didn’t spend any time thinking about it – he just confessed it and moved on. He reminded himself that failure is part of the human condition. But he reminded himself that grace is available through Christ. Confession, not consternation, is the acceptable remedy for failure. Before I read that, I lingered over guilt. Immediate grace was too good to be true, I thought. The old saint’s experience and testimony released me.

Ray Stedman told me, “Fred, when I realized God was for me it changed my life.” God’s grace is true.

Nevertheless, legalism appeals to our common sense. I find it necessary to remind myself that the very Scripture that makes me know my guilt lets me know the grace of God. By refusing grace, we play God thinking to punish ourselves. We expect discipline and mistake the natural consequences of bad decisions as divine judgment. Why? Because we feel we deserve judgment rather than grace.

A dear friend who has come out of alcoholism says that she must keep fresh in her mind her guilt and shame as a bulwark against going back to drinking. Another recovering alcoholic remarked, “She is dry, but she is not free.” She told me when she finally overcame drinking it was with the power of Christ who keeps her both dry and free. Grace, not guilt, is her reality and hope. My first friend was addicted to her cure. She simply exchanged one addiction for another; my second friend became free through her relationship to Christ.

Freedom from the addiction was seen in the joy of sobriety, not just the refusal of alcohol.

This week think about: 1) How am I experiencing the grace of God in my life? 2) Where am I holding on to guilt and shame? 3) What difference is freedom in Christ making in my life?

Words of Wisdom: “Grace, not guilty, should be our reality and hope.”

Wisdom from the Word: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ.” (John 1: 17 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 26, 2018

Fred chewed on ideas, deriving more and more enjoyment from the process. When he completed this exercise he molded his thoughts into material which was useful to others. In his pursuit of stretching others he constantly considered how best to use his thinking for the benefit of his friends.

As June draws to an end we ask you to think about the subject of prayer: prayer for our work, but prayer for the work of God’s kingdom. We can all be part of His plan and His purpose.

Four Answers to Prayer

I have been thinking a great deal about the four answers to prayer that Ed Young, Sr. suggests:

1) “I can’t hear you”
2) “No”
3) “Wait”
4) “Yes”

Expanding on these points is a meaningful use of mental energy and time.

Often in scripture (both old and new testaments) God tells an individual, “I won’t hear you because of your sin and disobedience.” Sin blocks our communication and fellowship.

God says “no” to self-indulgent prayers – particularly when what we want is contrary to the way that He wants to develop us. For example, He said “no” to the Apostle Paul when he asked to have the thorn removed. I thought about times in my life when “no” seemed to be the answer. As I considered it more, I realized I had been praying for something that seems to contravene what He is doing in my life.

I have been asking for feelings about things that are in reality facts. Then I remind myself faith comes by hearing, not by feeling. When He tells us “wait” He is talking about an active process in which we exercise faith and obedience. Abraham went for thirteen years without hearing from God and He told him that in his waiting “the promise still holds.”

Sometimes it is impossible for us to accurately identify when the answer is “yes.” It is often wrapped up in circumstances we do not see fitting together. It may be sometime before we can look back and see His “yes.”

The reaction to all these answers must come in acknowledging His sovereignty. We must recognize His love and His involvement in our lives. Christ did this in Gethsemane when He prayed, “Thy will be done – not mine.” This should always be our attitude toward God.

It is dangerous to nag God as we try to get our will, not His. We remember the scripture, “He gave them their desires, but with it leanness of soul.” Prayer is serious business, but it is also one of the great treasures afforded the Christian. We need to mature in our understanding and application.

This week think about: 1) Where is God saying “wait?” 2) How has prayer changed me? 3) What is my current heart condition before God?

Words of Wisdom: “When He tells us “wait” He is talking about an active process in which we exercise faith and obedience.”

Wisdom from the Word: “For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 19, 2018

Fred spoke to a men’s group and mentioned if his family were aristocratic enough to have a crest it would have Be A Blessing as the motto. A package arrived a few weeks later with a framed, colorful graphic crest bearing symbols representative of Fred’s life and emblazoned with the words Be A Blessing (in English). He always wondered what the Latin would be. If any scholars have the answer I am sure BWF would appreciate adding that to the archives.

Thank you for your continued support. The plans for Asbury University September 21,22 are firming up well. Keep on praying for the team members, the steering committee at Asbury, and the students who will be participating in the What’s Next Roundtable.

Be A Blessing

Our grandson Jeff Horch prepared to leave for Russia to do a video documentary. He said, “Pray for me, Mom.” She answered, “Be a Blessing.” She internalized what Mary Alice and I always wanted for our children – that they find their uniqueness and use it to bless others.

I thought about Dick Halverson’s comment that Jesus didn’t have a day planner, but simply went about doing good. On His way to heal a dead child He stopped for a woman who received healing from a long-term disease simply by touching His garment. We never know how a small blessing will grow. Giant oaks from small acorns grow.

As I remember the story, our friends Cliff and Billie Barrows were stopping in the home of sisters who invited them to go to the church where a young man was preaching. When they got there they needed a song leader and pianist. So, they volunteered to help. The young man preaching was Billy Graham. As association began that night that has influenced the entire world. Those sisters were a blessing.

Again, on a snowy night when the visiting preacher could not get through the storm a layman stood and read scripture to the scant audience. That was the night Charles Haddon Spurgeon made a profession of faith in Christ. A small acorn was planted that night that grew mightily.

If each Christian started the day by praying, “Lord, make me a blessing” what a difference it would make in our world. First, we have to have our lives opened to others; then we have to be looking for opportunities; and finally, we must take action. Good intentions are never enough. Can we be honest enough to ask ourselves every night – have I been a blessing?

(Editor’s note: When the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute developed a mission the purpose became: “Stretching and Blessing the Next Generation of Leaders… to the glory of God.” Fred wanted his epitaph to be “He stretched others” and “Be a Blessing” as a family motto.)

This week think about: 1) Who has been a blessing in my life? 2) When was the last time I said thank you to those who bless me? 3) How have I been intentional in blessing others?

Words of Wisdom: “Giant oaks from small acorns grow.”

Wisdom from the Word: Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3 NET Bible)