Pan Dulce by Albert Reyes

Moving to a New Blog

Friends, as of January 16, 2007 I am continuing Pan Dulce at a new address: www.pandulce.typepad.com Come and check it out. Thanks, Albert

posted by Albert Reyes @ 9:03 PM 8 comments

God the Promise Keeper

Pan Dulce Volume 1, Number 29 October 30, 2006
1. Wisdom Insight from Proverbs Chapter 30 “God the Promise Keeper”
2. Ministry Resource – The Serving Leader
3. Wisdom for Leadership - Learn How To Weep, Learn How to Ask for Help

Wisdom Insight from Proverbs: God the Promise Keeper
“These are the solemn words of Agur son of Jakeh: “God is not with me, God is not with me, and I am helpless. I am more like an animal than a man; I do not have the sense a man should have. I have never learned any wisdom, and I know nothing at all about God. Who has ever mastered heavenly knowledge? Who has ever caught the wind in his hand? Or wrapped up water in a piece of cloth? Or fixed the boundaries of the earth? Who is he, if you know? Who is his son? God keeps every promise he makes. He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.”
Proverbs 30:1-5 TEV

It is such a relief to know that I do not need to know everything that God knows. I don’t have to be God. God is God. All I have to know is that he keeps his promises. He keeps all his promises. He is my protector, my shield, and my rock. All I know is that God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. He is my Promise Keeper.

Ministry Resource: The Serving Leader
A donor and friend of BUA sent me a book entitled The Serving Leader by Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert. It is one of the best books I have read on leadership. The Jesus message is in the book and works along two story lines and the book is packed with excellent leadership principles. I would like to share some of the ideas over the next few weeks in this section of Ministry Resource. The third big idea is “Building on Strengths.” That means the leader determines the strengths of the people in her organization and seeks to build on those strengths. The organization is usually really good at something. What is it in your organization that nobody does as well as you?

Wisdom for Leadership: Learn How to Weep, Learn How to Ask for Help
Proverbs 6:8-9 says “The Lord hears my weeping; he listens to my cry for help.” Do you have the capacity to ask for help? Do you allow anyone to see you cry? Before anyone knows my reason for grief, the Lord hears my cry. One characteristic of a leader is the willingness to ask for help and a willingness to be human and transparent. People tend to know when you are real, when you are genuine and they appreciate seeing you for who you really are. When was the last time you wept and asked for help?

Copyright 2006 Albert L. Reyes

posted by Albert Reyes @ 10:54 PM 3 comments

Stubborn About the Right Stuff

Pan Dulce Volume 1, Number 28 October 9, 2006
1. Wisdom Insight from Proverbs Chapter 29 “Stubborn About the Right Stuff”
2. Ministry Resource – The Serving Leader
3. Wisdom for Leadership - Living for an Audience of One

Wisdom Insight from Proverbs: The Imago Dei in Us
“If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover. Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people. If you appreciate wisdom, your partners will be proud of you. It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes. When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country. If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.”
Proverbs 29:1-5 TEV

Being stubborn about the right things can actually be an asset to your leadership. However, being just plain stubborn about most things, especially corrective guidance, can bring you to a dead end. Spend your efforts going after righteousness, wisdom, stewardship, and justice. People around you will be blessed as you pursue these Kingdom virtues.

Ministry Resource: The Serving Leader
A donor and friend of BUA sent me a book entitled The Serving Leader by Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert. It is one of the best books I have read on leadership. The Jesus message is in the book and works along two story lines and the book is packed with excellent leadership principles. I would like to share some of the ideas over the next few weeks in this section of Ministry Resource. The second big idea is “Raising the Bar.” That means the leader raises the expectations for herself and her team. Leadership happens when teams produce results not processes. Leaders get greatness out of their teams by expecting it.

Wisdom for Leadership: Living for an Audience of One
Proverbs 5:21 says “The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching.” To live for an audience of one keeps us accountable. When we really believe that God is there, he is present, he is listening, he is watching, he is aware of our every thought, deed, action, attitude, and relationship, we tend to think in a unique way about the way we live. It is only when we delete this idea from our minds and from our reality that we developed bad habits that steal our freedom as leaders. Listen, we are all accountable to somebody. The leader that lives that way learns how to serve.

Copyright 2006 Albert L. Reyes

posted by Albert Reyes @ 12:17 PM 4 comments

Values-Based Leadership

Pan Dulce Volume 1, Number 27 October 2, 2006
1. Wisdom Insight from Proverbs Chapter 28 “Values-Based Leadership”
2. Ministry Resource – The Serving Leader
3. Wisdom for Leadership - Get All The Wisdom You Can Get

Wisdom Insight from Proverbs: The Imago Dei in Us
“The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion. When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders. Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops. If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them. Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the Lord understand it well.”
Proverbs 28:1-5 TEV

What we need in our government at the local, state, and national level is brave leadership that is concerned with the oppression of the poor, respect for the law of the land, and a love for justice. The values at the core of this kind of leadership are honesty, integrity, and truth. Habits build character and character builds leadership. Leaders tend to rise to the expectations followers have for them. Are you expecting honesty, integrity, and truth from your leaders? Are they concerned with alleviating oppression for those who are less fortunate? Do they hold the law in high esteem? Do they consistently work for justice in the lives of those in our communities?

Ministry Resource: The Serving Leader
A donor and friend of BUA sent me a book entitled The Serving Leader by Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert. It is one of the best books I have read on leadership. The Jesus message is in the book and works along two story lines and the book is packed with excellent leadership principles. I would like to share some of the ideas over the next few weeks in this section of Ministry Resource. The first big idea is the principle of Upending the Pyramid. Jennings and Stahl-Wert recommend turning the traditional organizational pyramid on its end. What would your work be like if you saw the people that serve under your leadership as your most important customers? Your goal would be to jump into the trenches and unleash their gifts, abilities, and talents and aim them toward the mission of your organization.

Wisdom for Leadership: Get All the Wisdom You Can Get
Proverbs 4:7-8 says “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. Love wisdom and she will make you great.” We find wisdom in the words of our friends, in books, in articles, in the words of our spouse, in the sermons our pastors preach, in the counsel of wise deacons, in the words of our children, in the Holy Scripture, and wise and trusted counselors. Wisdom is all around you. You just have to listen for it and build the capacity to hear. Leonard Sweet, in his book Summoned to Lead, calls it “sound leadership.”

Copyright 2006 Albert L. Reyes

posted by Albert Reyes @ 8:01 AM 0 comments

The Imago Dei in Us

Pan Dulce Volume 1, Number 26 September 25, 2006
1. Wisdom Insight from Proverbs Chapter 27 “The Imago Dei in Us”
2. Ministry Resource – The Making of A Leader: The Word Test
3. Sanity Section - Leading Change and Trusting the Lord

Wisdom Insight from Proverbs: The Imago Dei in Us
“Never boast about tomorrow. You don’t know what will happen between now and then. Let other people praise you – even strangers; never do it yourself. The weight of stone and sand is nothing compared to the trouble that stupidity can cause. Anger is cruel and destructive, but it is nothing compared to jealousy. Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don’t care for him at all.”
Proverbs 27:1-5 TEV

Our only boasting is found in what Christ has done for us. Boasting, bragging, or tooting our own horn is foolishness. When I hear someone praising themselves in public in the presence of others, I wonder how deep their need is for attention. We do not serve an insufficient Christ. He gives us all the self-worth we need. The image of Christ in us does not require self-praise, anger, jealousy, and all the character flaws that flow from our hearts. Take the risk today and point your friends to Christ and his image in us.

Ministry Resource: The Making of A Leader: The Word Test
One of the best tools for developing leaders is Robert J. Clinton’s book entitled The Making of A Leader. The book is a reflection of Clinton’s leadership emergence theory. Clinton describes several tests that an emerging leader goes through in preparation for a future assignment. One of the tests is a “Word Check.” That is, can the emerging leader be trusted with the things of God? Does the emerging leader have the capacity to rightly divide God’s word? Can he or she be trusted with truth revealed to him or her in God’s word. Does the leader have the skills needed to study, interpret, and apply God’s word. God tends to use those who have this kind of capacity.

Wisdom for Leadership: Leading Change and Trusting the Lord
Proverbs 3: 5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” Leaders who participate in transforming organizations must rely on a wide variety of information and encouragement. When you have done due diligence regarding transforming an organization and you have as much information as possible, you come to the point where you have to trust the Lord and remember him in all you do. If the Lord is leading you, he will show you the right way.

Copyright 2006 Albert L. Reyes

posted by Albert Reyes @ 8:13 AM 4 comments

Managing Foolish People

Pan Dulce Volume 1, Number 25 September 18, 2006
1. Wisdom Insight from Proverbs Chapter 26 “Managing Foolish People”
2. Ministry Resource – The Making of A Leader: The Integrity Test
3. Sanity Section - Leadership Ethics

Wisdom Insight from Proverbs: Managing Foolish People
“Praise for a fool is out of place, like snow in summer or rain at harvest time. Curses cannot hurt you unless you deserve them. They are like birds that fly by and never light. You have to whip a horse, you have to bridle a donkey, and you have to beat a fool. If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it. Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he’s not as smart as he thinks.”
Proverbs 26:1-5 TEV

When was the last time you encountered a foolish person? A person who really needed more help than they realized? The Wisdom writer is trying to tell us that there are ways to deal with foolishness. We don’t have to give it the same time and effort as we would to reasonable people. We are not compelled to give serious consideration to foolish questions. This passage gives new meaning to the concept of “fool-proofing” yourself.

Ministry Resource: The Making of A Leader: The Obedience Test
One of the best tools for developing leaders is Robert J. Clinton’s book entitled The Making of A Leader. The book is a reflection of Clinton’s leadership emergence theory. Clinton describes several tests that an emerging leader goes through in preparation for a future assignment. One of the tests is an “Integrity Check.” That is, can the emerging leader be trusted with the things of God? Does the leader’s life project honesty and good character? Integrity comes form the word integer, a whole number. A person of with integrity lacks nothing and has a measure of wholeness about them. Have you found leaders around you who have integrity? I have found that when I find a person of consistent integrity, I have found a rare quality. If a person has integrity, I can teach them many skills. If they do not have integrity, it does not matter what their skills are for the job.

Wisdom for Leadership: Leadership Ethics
Proverbs 2:11-12 says that “Your insight and understanding will protect you and prevent you from doing the wrong thing. They will keep you away from people who stir up trouble by what they say.” A central quality for the character of a leader is ethical behavior. That is, knowing when something is wrong and knowing what is right. Principle-based leadership is possible when a leader has an ethical core, a point of reference. For the Christian leader, the ethical core should reflect the witness of Holy Scripture and the leadership of the Spirit of Christ. God’s wisdom provides a foundation for an ethical core. Seek God’s wisdom, insight, and understanding.

Copyright 2006 Albert L. Reyes

posted by Albert Reyes @ 8:15 AM 2 comments

Wise Advisers

Pan Dulce Volume 1, Number 24 September 12, 2006
1. Wisdom Insight from Proverbs Chapter 25 “Wise Advisers”
2. Ministry Resource – The Making of A Leader: The Obedience Test
3. Sanity Section - Leading Requires Wisdom

Wisdom Insight from Proverbs: Wise Advisers
“Here are more of Solomon’s proverbs, copied by men at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah. We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain. You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean. Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty. Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for justice.”
Proverbs 25:1-5 TEV

Leaders tend to be as good as their best advisers. Care must be taken to surround yourself with the best advisers available. They will make or break you. Who do you turn to for counsel? Who advises you on major decisions? Do you consistently see the character of God in their hearts? Do their words, actions, and attitudes resonate with God’s word and spirit?

Ministry Resource: The Making of A Leader: The Obedience Test
One of the best tools for developing leaders is Robert J. Clinton’s book entitled The Making of A Leader. The book is a reflection of Clinton’s leadership emergence theory. Clinton describes several tests that an emerging leader goes through in preparation for a future assignment. One of the tests is an “Obedience Check.” That is, does the emerging leader have the capacity and habit of obeying what God has revealed to him or her? Obedience involves submission of the will before God. It involves bending our knees. Have you found leaders around you who are willing to obey? I have attempted to obey the Spirit as he has led me to speak on Immigration Reform. See the Interview by the Wittenburg Door on BUA’s Website at www.bua.edu on the Front Page.

Wisdom for Leadership: Leading Requires Wisdom
Proverbs 1:6 says that “It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding.” A leader that is in tune with the Spirit of God and is led by the Spirit of God will benefit from the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that comes from God. James 3:17 says that God’s wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle, friendly, full of compassion, produces a harvest of good deeds, and is free from prejudice and jealousy. If you are going to lead, you need to get God’s wisdom.


Copyright 2006 Albert L. Reyes

posted by Albert Reyes @ 8:35 AM 0 comments