Leadership Tips & Training Is Your Secret Life Showing?

After a long week of work, I wearily made the long trek home in the Houston traffic. My eyes were glazed over as I half-heartedly listened to the Christian radio station playing on my car stereo. Then the deejay began interviewing a man who was to be one of the worship leaders that evening at a citywide praise and worship service. My ears perked up as I heard the worship leader say, "I have spent time developing my secret life." That got my attention. I wanted to know more.

The deejay asked, "Is it true that you have never completed a college degree, but have been a worship leader for 19 years?" The worship leader answered, "I have never had to promote myself. The scripture tells us that what is done in secret will be revealed. So, I have just worked on my secret life. I started by getting alone in my room as a teenager to sing and play the guitar to the Lord. Then I would sing to the Lord or take a walk and pray. This became a habit and my secret life was revealed as I publicly led others in worship."

By this time I was looking for something to write on as I drove down the freeway. I was having an ah-ha moment. Wow! That is the key to being an effective leader—developing a secret life. Luke 8:17 "For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light." (NAS)

After making a commitment to faithfully memorize at least one scripture verse a week, I have been blessed and changed through God's powerful Word. One of the blessings has been that the Word naturally flows out of my mouth during prayer, while leading a First Place class, while speaking to someone over the phone or in the midst of a witnessing opportunity.

Beverly Henson from Meridian, Mississippi, made a commitment to exercise each day, and since that commitment, has lost 140 pounds. She has become so excited about exercise that all those around her are affected. They, too, say if she can do it, so can I!

Beth Moore's daughter, Melissa, recently stood before our church and committed her life to full time Christian service. Beth has given her life to studying the Word and teaching others its powerful truths. Our secret life is revealed in the lives we touch.

When our secret life is filled with time spent in the Word, making healthy food choices and honoring God with our bodies, then others are benefited. However, when we do not choose to spend our secret times in a wise manner, those around us are negatively affected. If we secretly abuse our bodies by making unhealthy choices, or starve our spirit through lack of time spent with the Father, we negatively influence those we relate with and those we lead. As leaders, we must take inventory of our secret life. Are your secret times filled with talking to the Lord, meditating on His Word, and making wise food choices? If not, then there is an encouraging word for you. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Begin today and commit to doing all the things that you ask your members to do—just do it! (James 1:22) Choose today to spend your secret moments developing the spiritual and physical disciplines that will one day come to light and be used to influence those you lead.

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.