Leadership Tips & Training Good New of Great Joy!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
- Luke 2:8-10

Thoughts of Christmas Eve bring a flood of memories to my mind.   Sounds of music and laughter, smells of freshly baked pies, and the sight of beautiful twinkling lights that circled our Christmas tree are just a few of the special memories I have of Christmas Eve.   The Christmas story has always been the highlight of every Christmas family gathering.   My favorite part of the Christmas story is Luke 2:10, when the angels declare, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."   Every time I hear those words, I get a lump in my throat and butterflies in my stomach. Just the thought of such good news mixed with great joy sends chills up my spine! 

The angel in Luke 2:10 was speaking to a group of lowly shepherds, just ordinary people like you and me.   Have you ever wondered why God chose to tell this very special message to a bunch of shepherds?    I believe He had the angel speak to the shepherds so that they would know that this good news is for everyone - even the "average Joe."   No one will be excluded from this wonderful news!   The shepherds must have been frightened when they not only saw an angel, but also the glory of the Lord.   Can you imagine seeing the glory of God in the middle of a pasture? That would be a little terrifying! However, once they heard the angel speak to them, their fear turned to awe and excitement.

As I think about the angel who had the awesome task of telling the shepherds such good news, I am reminded that First Place leaders also have been called to the task of sharing some good news that will bring great joy to those they lead.   A First Place leader can be an angel to their members in several ways.

Be surrounded by the glory of God. It says that the shepherds were terrified as they saw the angel surrounded by God's glory.   An angel has spent some time in the presence of God and because of that, God's glory goes with the angel whenever sent on an assignment. A leader must spend personal time with the Lord on a daily basis in order to experience His glory.   When a leader is spending time consistently with the Lord, praying, reading and memorizing His Word, the members will sense God's presence.   When a leader is walking the talk by keeping the nine commitments of First Place, the members will have respect for the leader and in turn, be open to the leader's message of good news.

Bring good news of great joy. The good news that the angel came to declare was the message that the Savior had been born, the One who would bring salvation and hope of eternal life. As a First Place leader, you have a message of hope. The message is that by seeking Christ first in every area of life one will find complete wholeness and health, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. First Place leaders have the answer that many people have been searching for all their lives. What an awesome task!   Leading members to study their Bibles, pray, memorize the Word, make wise food choices and exercise will bring great joy and victory! 

Be an encourager to all members. Just as the angels had good news to share with all the world, First Place leaders have good news to share with all First Place members. First Place members come in all sizes, shapes, personalities, maturity levels, and backgrounds.   I have been asked many times, "When do you tell a member or fellow leader that they should just give up."   My answer is always the same, "Never!"   No one is a lost cause.   Jesus taught about going after those "lost causes" in Luke 15:4-7:

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Stick with those struggling sheep in your First Place class and the day will come that you will call your fellow First Place members together and rejoice over the once "lost cause" who has now found complete freedom and balance in life!

May you experience God's magnificent glory this Christmas.   I pray that you will take time to read aloud the Christmas story to your family and First Place class, remembering that God's message of hope is a message of great joy for all people!

Lead on!

Nancy Taylor
Leadership Training Director



Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.