The Equation For Growth

I grew up in an area of the country where formal education was not at the top of the priority list. For some reason, it was frowned upon even more if you received a "Christian" Formal Education. Some would say that if you went to Bible College, you were seeking man's wisdom instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. 

This thought process has always bothered me. 

The bible says in 2 Peter 1:5-8  ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

You see, God has given all of us a part to play in our personal development as leaders. This means that we read books, attend seminars, go to conferences, take notes, download podcasts, and whatever else is at your disposal to grow in godliness.  

We must make every effort to add to our faith. When we do that, we set ourselves up for extraordinary growth! 

Here are a couple of books that you might be interested in...

Breakout Churches: By Thom S. Rainer

I am currently reading this book. Rainer bases his research largely on Good To Great by Jim Collins (another must read for every leader). But the difference with Breakout Churches is that it find the biblical application for Christian leaders. READ IT. AND ADD TO YOUR FAITH. 

27 Tough Question Pastors Ask: By Dick Hardy

Dick is a close personal friend of mine, and I must say that he has certainly delivered a masterpiece of writing in 27 Tough Questions. READ IT. AND ADD TO YOUR FAITH.