______________________________________


{Heart4Teens.com}  *Radical Leadership*

______________________________________

If you enjoy this free email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of teenagers everywhere! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, you can join Heart4Teens.com readers around the world by visiting:

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Heart4Teens


Visit our inspirational web site to read all the past articles in our archives and view the tons of resources we have there for teens!

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories


_________________________________________


Over 95,000 people have listened to popular Chicken Soup Author Michael T. Powers' free inspirational message entitled: "Breathing Life into Others".  If you aren't one of them just visit: http://www.HeartTouchers.com and click on the link to listen to the free streaming audio message!


_________________________________________


RADICAL LEADERSHIP

If you asked the president of a large company for a one word definition of leadership, she might describe it as enthusiasm, drive, power, presence, or competence. These words are often associated with the world's view of leadership.

But if you investigate Jesus' leadership requirements for his closest followers, you'll see that only one word makes it to the top of his list. It's not an attractive word that will make you want race to the end of this book. Ready? Drum roll, please...Jesus asked his leaders to... serve. Serve! (Go ahead and reread it?I'll wait.)

Is it safe to assume that right now you're not too sure you want to be a leader if that's what leaders do? I understand?it's quite shocking at first. But if you want to follow the lead of Jesus, you'll find the primary objective of a biblical leader is to serve. Carefully read this verse to understand how Jesus wants his closest followers to act:

You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it
over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite
different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your
servant... (Matthew 20:25-26, NLT)

Jesus' selection of leaders could be considered either insane or ingenious. But since he was God in the flesh, let's assume his leadership judgment fits in the latter category. The first 12 men he chose to lead with him included five fishermen, a tax collector, and six others whose occupations are a complete mystery. Sometimes we wonder why Jesus chose these men instead of those who were already seen as leaders. Whatever the reason, the greatest leader ever to live chose ordinary guys to lead with him.

Clearly, Jesus connected serving to leading. He deepened the definition of leadership when he described himself as a servant rather than a king:

"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to
serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many"
(Matthew 20:28, NLT).

Jesus didn't just speak about serving; he modeled it. He put the needs of others first and placed himself in positions where serving was necessary. Ultimately, this posture of servanthood led him to the cross?to serve the needs of humanity. He served without reservation, and the greatest act of servanthood was also the greatest act of leadership our world has ever seen.

Think about that for a moment. Jesus. God in the flesh. All-powerful, all knowing, all God, and yet, all servant?to everyone! He served the down and out, the sinner, the outcast, the lonely, and the poor. Leader? Yes. Servant? Absolutely!

As Jesus served, he created and led a movement with the potential to influence others! Given Jesus' actions, my definition of leadership would include two key words: serve and influence. Jesus did both. That's leadership!

If you want to be a leader?not just a student leader, but a Christian leader?you must learn to lead like Jesus. How? By serving others. When you serve others, you'll have the opportunity not only to lead, but also to change the image of leadership in your church, in your youth group, in your family, and in your school.

So instead of viewing your leadership role as a chance to exert power and voice your opinions, view it as an opportunity to serve. When you do, you'll succeed at leadership, and you'll grow to be more like Jesus.

**

Taken from "Help! I'm a Student Leader," by Doug Fields, copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/259614

_________________________________________


Thought For The Day:

"Prayer should be the key of the morning and the lock of the night." --Owen Felltham


Verse for the Day:

"It is good to praise the Lord...to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." --Psalm 92: 1,2


Teen's Thought For The Day:

"A decade or two after graduation, almost everyone will have forgotten how smart you were or how athletic you were. But every time they think about you they will remember how you made them feel." -- Michael T. Powers


Parent's Thought For The Day

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a spouse, a friend, a child, or a parent. --Barbara Bush


Coach's Thought For The Day

"One reason I won't compromise is because I believe honesty helps you win over the long haul. You can win a game tomorrow and lose a team. You can lose a game tomorrow and win a football team." --Lou Holtz


Deep Thought For The Day:

"Kristi and I saw the movie, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' recently and I was surprised because I didn't see any tigers or dragons. And then I realized why: they're crouching and hidden." -- Michael T. Powers




_________________________________________


Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 25 other inspirational books.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

_________________________________________


ALL-STAR Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

All-Stars:  6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights!  Open to all youth grades 9-12.

The Outlet:  6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights in the Multi-Purpose Room! Open to all youth grades 6-8.


Currently we have students from Edgerton, Evansville, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.


Upcoming Topics:

New Series on Creation and the Authority of the Bible!

January 28: The Fall of Man

February 4:  Super Bowl Party!  (Kauffman House 4339 Fox Hills Dr.)
February 11: Dinosaurs
February 18: Dinosaurs Part 2
February 25: Noah's Ark


Visit our youth website to see our topics for all of 2007!
http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/youth


_______________________________________________


Teen Community Groups

6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (September though May)

These groups are limited to no more than ten teens and are split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Xtreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

Jr. High age meets at the church and are led by Kent and Rachel Martin

High School age are led by Matt and Kristi Kauffman: 4339 Fox Hills (Call 758-1243 if you have any questions!)


Xtreme Teens

Xtreme Teens meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM all year round at the Powers' house. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them.  Admission into Xtreme Teens is on a case by case basis.  Contact Pastor Michael for more details!

__________________________________________________


LEARN TO LEAD

You are a student leader for a reason. Maybe you chose to be, maybe it was chosen for you?no matter how you got there, God has a plan to use you in ministry.

You and your youth worker know that you're new at this thing. You have leadership ability, but you're still a student?so how do you do it?

Doug Fields has been a youth pastor for a long time, and he has helped several students figure out how to be leaders in his ministry. Now, he's here to help you. You may be afraid or overwhelmed, or you may feel privileged and a little cocky?but the tools in this book will help you get the most of your time as a leader.

You can find "Help! I'm a Student Leader!" at:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/259614

Also available in your local Christian bookstore