Driving with Dr. Stanley:Session 4

Andy’s dad, Dr. Charles Stanley, spoke this morning in Session 4 after a standing ovation from the 2500 in attendance.  Dr. Stanley is a remarkable teacher of God’s Truth and after listening, I realized he is a great, courageous leader; an authentic, strong man; and a passionate follower of Christ.  Notes from his talk:

1. If we do not allow God to change the way people do church, people will (& us) miss the blessing of God
2. We are the generation that will leave the church the way it is or change it so the church will be ineffective…Change means Inevitable Conflict
3. Many leaders walk away from leading the church…why? Conflict.  As leaders we often say, "I don’t have to put up with this." Yes we do.
4. Don’t run when you see conflict, because when you will you stop running.  Wherever there is change there is conflict.
5. As Leaders we need to Serve, be Strong, be Courageous, Do Not Fear (& if you are afraid, don’t show it!)

How to Handle Conflict in Ministry
>>don’t run from it, run to it
>>conflict: divides our mind, distracts from goals, drains energy, destroys relationships
>>halt: don’t allow yourself to get too tired, too hungry, too lonely, etc.  This is when we will be tempted.  So, we have to stay healthy and fit physically, and be strong.
>>in conflict, we learn a lot about ourself, discover negative attitudes, & we have the opportunity to grow

PRINCIPLE: OBEY GOD & LEAVE ALL THE CONSEQUENCES GOD
>>God assumes full responsibility when we obey
>>Don’t allow fear or conflict keep you from doing what God has called you to do
>>God acts in behalf of the ones who wait for Him (Isaiah 64 & 65).  Omnipotence is on our side.

PRINCIPLE: LEARN TO FIGHT YOUR BATTLES ON YOUR KNEES
>>If we are going to survive conflict, we must see everything we experience as coming from Him.  If you you will get angry, self-absorbed, self-defensive, & that will hurt God’s purposes.
>>Don’t fight the battle in public unless forced to.  Silence is Golden.  Fight and unleash your emotions to God in prayer.
>>Don’t fight back, let God do the battling…He prunes the vine.
>>You don’t have to defend yourself.  If you obey God, He will take care of it.  Trust God and let Him do the warfare.
>>The biggest fight is within us.
>>The Spirit of God will enable you to do the things He has called you to do.
>>Question: Am I committed to walk the center line of what He has made in my life?
>>There is not enough conflict in the world to defeat us when we obey.
>>Anything that drives one to God, to our knees…it has to be good.  We are then open to what God wants to do.

Principle: Always look to God for resources.
>>When Dr.Stanley began InTouch Ministries (now in 103 languages and in every country), he committed to God’s direction to Him and committed that he would never ask for money and Trust Him for the resources.  He never has and God has continuously expanded the ministry.
>>Don’t be indebted to anyone.  Remain free.  God wants us to only have one master=Him.

>>Most important thing in your life: Your Personal, Intimate Relationship with Jesus Christ.

There will be a couple/few times in life when God will present us with "fork in the road" type decisions where we must obey Him.  These significant seasons will mark the direction for the rest of our life.  There will be conflict: internally and externally.  Don’t Run…Obey.  Be Courageous. 

I can look back and see some of those forks that God has granted me His mercy and grace to follow Him.  As I heard this message today along with reading In a Pit with Lion on a Snowy Day, I wonder if God is preparing me to consider another one of those forks…maybe big, maybe small…but a fork where I must seek, wait, remain (John 15), and obey.

Thanks Dr. Stanley!