Leadership Tips & Training How to Reap a Fruitful Harvest

Matthew 9:36-38
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Autumn is arriving, even though it doesn’t really look like it out my window. As I look down at the freeway in the heart of Houston, Texas, it still looks like the heat of summer. The stores are full of the latest fall fashions, which include sweaters, leather jackets and boots; however, my sandals and sleeveless sweater seem to fit today’s weather forecast just fine, thank you! Maybe that is why it has taken me a few days to be inspired to write an article with a “harvest” theme. Now that I am inspired, let’s talk about the harvest that is waiting for you in your First Place class. I know you may not see it yet, but it really is there!

Take a close look at the people who have joined your First Place class. They are very similar to the crowd that Jesus had compassion on in Matthew 9:36. They are harassed, helpless and leaderless. The enemy far too long has harassed them. They have what I call “stinkin’ thinkin’” and need someone to direct them to the truth. That someone is you, my dear First Place leader. The Lord has sent you out as a worker in His field. Your First Place class is the field. Now go to work!

A worker in God’s field possesses some key qualities that help produce a fruitful harvest. God sends out First Place leaders into the harvest that seek discernment, humility, and integrity.

Discernment
I Kings 3:9 “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

When people come into your class harassed and helpless, they need a leader that has discernment. A leader with a discerning mind will see beyond the obvious. They will look beyond the superficial – the smile or the statement, “Hi, I am fine.” If you feel you lack discernment, pray and ask God to give you wisdom to understand your members. Try to listen beyond the words to hear their emotion and ask questions to discover if they have any hidden fears or anxieties. A farmer can look at the crop or a gardener can look at a plant and tell what the plant is lacking. They cannot see the inside of the plant, but just observing its symptoms they will know if the plant lacks water, sun, or nutrients. In the same way, a leader can discern what a member needs by asking the Lord for godly discernment and by observing the member’s behavior and emotions.

Humility
1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted the seed, Apollo’s watered it, but God made it grow.”

Being a leader is not about being in the spotlight. Leading is not for the VIP, but is for the humble servant. If a leader ever thinks that they must have all the answers and that their member’s success is directly related to their efforts, then they will be sorely disappointed! Paul made a wise statement when He said that it is God who causes the growth. A member may go through an entire session and never lose weight even though you have “planted” an abundance of information into their life. Then, they join another session led by another leader who “waters” them with encouragement and more information. Who is the better leader? Neither one is better than the other. Ultimately, it will be God who causes the member to grow and become the balanced person He created them to be. A humble leader doesn’t waste time comparing themselves to other leaders, but humbly walks with God learning how to best serve those he leads.

Integrity
Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, oh man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

A faithful worker does what is right. Elizabeth Elliot has been quoted as saying, “Do the next right thing.” This is wonderful advice for a leader - doing the right thing. We reap what we sow. When the leader is half-hearted about the commitments, then the leader reaps half-hearted members. If a leader walks the talk, then the members will see that compromise is not an option. The First Place materials were designed to benefit the leader and the member. The ministry of First Place is funded by the sale of the First Place materials. If leaders decide to compromise by copying the materials and only presenting parts of the program to their members, then the ministry of First Place will be negatively affected. If people copy our materials rather than purchase them, then we can no longer be in ministry. We would not have the funds to create more Bible studies, employ staff to answer people’s questions, or provide such opportunities as Focus Weeks and Leader Summits. God’s Word assures us that He will provide what we need. If a member is needy financially and desires to seek Christ first, then trust God to provide the member with the resources that will enable them to purchase the Member Kit. God desires to meet our needs if only we ask and seek to do the right thing.

Proverbs 15:15 says that a “cheerful heart has a continual feast.” A leader who leads with discernment, humility and integrity will find a continual feast of God’s blessings. During this harvest time, cheerfully press on to be humble leaders who seek God’s discernment and walk with integrity before your members, and I know that God will give you a fruitful harvest!

Happy Reaping!

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.