I went to a round table type deal one time with The Leadership Network…and met Larry for the very first time…and liked the guy as soon as I met him.
The words of wisdom he shared that day were awesome…but the thing I remember the most was when he talked about how his main staff guys had been with him since the beginning…how none of them had flamed out or failed morally…and how nearly all of their children were in ministry as well.
Hearing him say that lit a fire in me and every ounce of me screamed, “I WANT THAT FOR ME AND THE TEAM I SERVE WITH!”
He then went on to talk about how he and the leadership have always been very intentional about making decisions that protect the staff from burning out…which I believe should be a passion of every pastor/leader.
One of the most ridiculous things people in the ministry say is, “I will do the work of Jesus…and He will supernaturally take care of my family!”
BULL…saying that is a slap in the face of Scripture (one of the qualifications of being a leader in the church is leading your family well) and ultimately a slap in the face of God!
Too many people sacrifice their family on the ministry alter…and spend WAY too much time at events and “times of crisis” rather than having dinner with their family and making them a priority!
I imagine a conversation with Larry would be like a conversation would be between a father and a son. He’s full of wisdom and seems to be willing to share hard truth…but not in a condemning or condescending way. He seems like a man that would encourage what needed to be encouraged…and rebuke what needed to be rebuked…and we all need guys like that in our lives.
When it comes to what I believe I could learn from Larry…I really do believe there isn’t a limit on what the Lord could use him to teach me. BUT…I would REALLY be interested in hearing about the steps he has taken to protect himself and his staff from the issues that so many in the ministry face.
I want to finish well…I want the men and women I serve with to finish well…and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure both of those things take place!