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Seven Keys to Being an Effective Global Leader

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:32:26 MDT

Nowadays, with the flat-world reality of technology, it is easier than ever for key apostolic leaders to connect the world over. This incredible new ability to communicate should be done strategically and with wisdom, lest a leader fail because of a lack of focus. . . . I believe God is calling the church to properly steward this incredible opportunity to unite global leaders for the sake of His kingdom. The early church was united and evangelized much of the known world by the end of the first century--all without planes, trains, automobiles, cell phones, or computers. I pray nothing less will be done by His present-day church.

Why Pastors Fall? Why Pastors Fail? Any Solutions!

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:22:35 MDT

I was shocked years ago when I realized that not all pastors are leaders. Someone with little or no mantle of leadership trying to lead a congregation will eventuate in people going in their own direction looking for the real leader in their midst. I agree with George Barna (as stated in his book A Fish Out of Water) when he says that there are habitual leaders (born leaders) who are so gifted that leadership comes naturally to them; they simply intuit leadership. I also agree with John Maxwell who says that we can grow as leaders by asking people to mentor us and by taking the time to study on leadership. God has called each leader to know and articulate their own mission statement.

This One Thing I Do

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:05:51 MDT

Most people know that in order to excel at anything in life you must be devoted; you have to sacrifice time, expend energy, and give yourself over to your goals in order to achieve them. Paul the Apostle told us in Philippians that this attitude was the key to his great success as a disciple of Christ. Philippians 3:13-14 says “ . . . . I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This one thing I do. Less is more when we are focused on achieving mastery in any area of our lives.

Seven Hazardous Habits of Executive Level Leaders

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:57:48 MDT

Though many may be associates of either senior pastors or business owners, it is virtually impossible to understand the pressures, sacrifices, and weight of responsibility that rests upon the shoulders of effective senior leaders. The following points illustrate some of the hazards of executive level leadership. - 1. Executive level leaders often isolate themselves, 2. Executive level leaders often violate principles of Sabbath rest, 3. Executive level leaders often do not celebrate the processes of success, 4. Executive level leaders often judge themselves by the success stories of other leaders, 5. Executive level leaders often sacrifice the health of their soul for the urgent matters of pending tasks, 6. Executive level leaders often do not have a plan for personal growth and development and 7. Executive level leaders often put the work of the organization before the health of their family and key personnel.

Seven Ways the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Affects True Believers

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:47:44 MDT

Often, many people view the resurrection of Christ merely as an historical event that supplies us with Christian doctrine without understanding the vast implications it has for believers. The following points will attempt to make the implications of the resurrection of Christ much more real and practical to us. When I experience the resurrection of Christ my personal values begin to change to more reflect the heart and character of God. What I once valued as a priority now becomes low priority so that eternal things can take the ascendancy. Jesus said that the things honored by man are detestable in the sight of God (Luke). Where once possessions possessed me, now I own nothing and steward everything. Where once I wanted to express my persona, now I want Christ in me to shine. Where once I lived for today, now I live in eternity. Where once I wanted to live for my purposes, now I endeavor to die to self for His purposes.

Why Hurt People Hurt Other People?

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:44:57 MST

It is an old adage that says “hurt people hurt people.” It is well known that those who have been emotionally damaged tend to inflict their hurt and pain on other people. For example, a large percentage of those who have been sexually abused become the abusers of others; those who suffered under an alcoholic parent often themselves cause their future family to suffer because of their drunken stupors. Until we as a church deal with the whole person as shown in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 our congregations will be filled with people who are spiritually gifted but act like emotional infants. As in other words, the church must deal with emotional health and not just spiritual health and power.

Is Tithing in the New Testament?

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:33:39 MST

There is presently a teaching that is gaining traction among Christians which asserts that the giving of tithes is no longer a requirement in the present New Testament church. Although the giving of tithes is not one of the cardinal beliefs necessary for redemption (it is not as important as the deity of Christ, etc.) it is still an important issue we must grapple with. Although there are arguments against tithing that seem persuasive on the surface, the following are reasons why I believe tithing is still a requirement in this present kingdom age.

Intimacy in Marriage

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:47:29 MST

People often wed while they are in the honeymoon stage of their relationship, thus they have never worked through the grid of their relationship when all those euphoric feelings are missing. Also, most men are clueless in regards to the state of their relationship with their spouse. A few years after I was married, someone once asked me how my marriage was and I said great, not knowing that my marriage was in trouble because my wife was feeling alienated from me emotionally. If leaders would just learn to properly prioritize their marriage and family, focusing properly on what matters most, then all the other things they desire for significance will manifest in their proper time!

Noah As An Example Of A Model Leader

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:35:51 MDT

In the progressive church, leadership means having to successfully deal with many different kinds of leaders in our church in order to fulfill our vision. Truly, learning how to release different kinds of people is the key to releasing your vision. Noah is symbolically a great model for this kind of leadership because he had to navigate a ship that had animals together as diverse as a lion and a sheep. Today’s progressive apostolic leader must learn how to shepherd emerging political, financial, and church leadership all in one ship.

Ten Reasons Masturbation is Destructive

no@spam.com (Joseph Mattera) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:49:14 MDT

There is much confusion regarding what the Bible says about masturbation. Because the Bible says little or nothing on the subject directly, many ministers teach young people that masturbation is acceptable because it relieves sexual passions without engaging in a sexual act with another person. As a pastor for more than two decades, I have counseled many men in this area and have observed how this activity causes serious problems in regards to their internal walk with the Lord and their spouse. Masturbation is both unbiblical and harmful. The following ten points should bring clarity.