Where would churches, ministries or businesses be without the administrators, the directors of departments, or the executive secretaries and administrative assistants? Those organizations who have them know their value. Those who don’t may or may not realize what they are missing. It has been my desire to share a bit of what I have experienced, and learned, over 40 years.
Each one of you who now serves in this capacity is very important to the “visionaries”. The work that you do, and the support that you consistently give, enables the top leaders of the organization to do what they have been given by the Lord to do. I like to think of our role as similar to that of my Biblical heroes. Joshua assisted Moses and Timothy served with Paul.
May the Lord encourage you as you read my thoughts and what has worked for me. I hope the stories and suggestions will impart to you further measures of blessing, for those you support and also to those you give direction to.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Available now online: Amazon
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Steve Martin served with three Christian ministries from 1987-2010, all having a national and international outreach focus. During that time he made 14 ministry trips to Israel, China, India, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom. On his overseas journeys Steve enjoyed sharing written journal entries with family and friends back home, through Internet media. His light-hearted stories gave an up close and personal touch for those reading along. Many could imagine being there themselves.
His extensive collection of photos taken during these trips, of both local scenery and common people on the streets, has touched thousands through their varied images. In 2010, Steve and Laurie began "Love For His People, Inc," a 501©3 non-profit humanitarian aid ministry. This work touches the natural and spiritual lives of those around them with needed encouragement and strength. His regular “Ahava Love Letter”, posted both on the Love For His People Blog and Facebook, feature his love letters of spiritual enrichment, plus selected photos and commentary from abroad.
Since 1994, Steve and his good wife Laurie have lived in the Charlotte, NC area, after having homes in Illinois, Michigan and Florida. Now married for more than 36 years, they enjoy their four adult children and spouses, along with six additional grandchildren. While continuing to serve organizations with his accounting skills, he enjoys writing and growing the ministry of Love For His People, Inc.
Endorsements
In a rough and tumble world marred by the superficial and the
phony, where nothing can be counted on, Steve Martin maps out a straight-line
path for Christian organizations. In reality, it's a book on how to steward the
factors that too often get side-tracked when navigating a significant call of
God. It's a down-to-earth manual of wisdom needed to enable Christian
organizations to keep their eye on the big picture, while building a firm
foundation to enable it to happen. Steve writes from the stance of one who has
served in key administrative roles in a number of key ministries. Every
ministry head and administrator will profit from this straight forward
operating wisdom.
Morris Ruddick
Entrepreneur, Author, Minister, Consultant and Business Coach
Morris Ruddick
Entrepreneur, Author, Minister, Consultant and Business Coach
What a great practical book for administration. I have
watched Steve oversee several ministries. I know of no better administrator
than my friend, Steve Martin. I highly recommend that you read this book.
Dr. Peter Wyns, President,
Christians for Messiah Ministries and Pastor of Antioch International Church.
Dr. Wyns is also the grandson of Derek Prince.
God has created in Steve a heart for worship and service. His
desire has been to see the body of Christ united and to see ministries come
together to co-labor for the purposes of God.
Jack Alongi, former Director
of Development
at Derek Prince Ministries
I had the pleasure of working on an almost daily basis with Steve Martin
for many years while he served several Christian ministries. While Steve had
the control of whether we worked together, he always made me feel we were
working as a team with a common reward in serving God. He enjoyed my family as
I did his. He is intelligent, thoughtful, patient to the extent he
could be, a good listener, open to new ideas, joyful and passionate about
serving the Lord. The projects may be over long ago but not the bond we hold to
this day.
George Payne Write Hand Publishing
Andalusia, Alabama
We are honored to write an endorsement. Anyone that has
worked with you Steve knows what a blessing you are and I was SO HAPPY to read
that you finally realize the gifting that God has given you. Love to Laurie and
the family.
Jeanette Alongi, formerly of
Derek Prince Ministries
- Fort Lauderdale, FL and Charlotte, NC
I just finished reading Steve Martin’s new book, “Leadership
Through Love” - Steve’s heart of goodness and faithfulness to His God shines on
every page. Of great importance is the practical hands-on wisdom
that comes from actually leading through love, giving integrity to the words
that are written. Steve’s sense of humor always kind of sneaks up on
me, and I found myself chuckling so many times at his stories and honest,
from-the-heart insights! It is the mandate of all of us who follow
the One called Faithful and True to complete the work that our Father has given
us, and Steve’s book will shine the light on how to do just that, whether you
are an administrator or leader in the secular marketplace or in volunteer or
paid ministry positions. Loving leadership – a high calling –
Steve’s done it, and it shows in this book!
Cathy Hargett,
Founder/Director, Highway to Zion Ministries
Steve - I read your excellent book! I want to share this:
I've known Steve now for several years. He's a man of faith and a man of
action! Both are desired in true men of God. Steve is a manager - management is
something he knows and can help you with. His future may be in ever-expanding
ways, but he can help you manage. Read this book intently - honor the Lord
by letting it wash over you and help you become the Manager that God intends
you to be. And Steve, thanks for the book - thanks for your honesty and
openness! Amen and blessing!
Robbie Phillips, Founder,
Present Word Ministries
- Columbia, SC
Steve, I
finished your book “Leadership through Love”. I think it is a great book, one
that will help those who choose to glean from your practical (tried and proven)
pointers, and at the same time, woven through the pages are thoughts and
encouragements to those reading it, to build a good biblical foundation from
which to lead and serve from.
I had the
pleasure and great blessing of serving under the leadership of Steve Martin for
five years. I witnessed firsthand his integrity and faithfulness. I watched him
lead me and others with respect, appreciation, love and boundless
encouragement. Although our paths have taken other directions over the past six
years, I cherish his friendship which continues on today. I nicknamed Steve,
“Heavy Hand of Blessings” because I have never met a person who takes such pure
delight in blessing others as Steve Martin. I was blessed to call him Boss and
am continually blessed to call him friend.
Terri Whitaker, Derek Prince Ministries
Every now and then you have the privilege to get to know someone whose
character and life radiate honesty, sincerity, loyalty and Christian
love. Steve Martin is that type of person. I first met Steve at a
Messianic conference in Charlotte, NC, in 2007. One of the things I
quickly noticed about Steve was how "approachable" he was. Even
though he was the US Director of an international ministry, he still had time
to talk with people at the conference and demonstrated a genuine interest in helping
to bring about a network of Believers, as well as area groups and churches, for
the purpose of serving the Lord more effectively. As the years have
passed I've come to realize just how deep Steve's roots of love and service for
the Lord are.
It has been exciting to walk with Steve, as he's "stepped out of
the boat" and moved ahead with the vision the Lord gave him for LOVE FOR
HIS PEOPLE - a ministry that helps connect Believers around the world with the
people of Israel. He is a husband, father and grandfather. Steve,
and his wife Laurie, serve as leaders of the Ahava Love Band, a group of
singers and musicians who provide praise and worship at area assemblies.
Whether you call him Messianic, a part of the "one new man", or a
"Jewish Rooter", if there's anyone who knows how to demonstrate
"Leadership Through Love", it's Steve Martin.
Curtis Loftin Founder, Beit Yeshua
Lincolnton, NC
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this
book. I enjoyed it and thought it had some really great
insights. I wish I had this back in my "corporate"
days. You are a good writer too. In a world filled with an ever
increasing list of ‘how to’ books, Steve Martin has provided one which clearly
sets itself apart from the rest. He
presents a concise look at the art/science of management and leadership based
not on academia but on real life experiences founded on God’s Word and powered
by the Holy Spirit. Based on his vast
personal experiences in leadership, reinforced by insights received from
others, Steve provides truly practical instruction in how to lead and manage an
effective organization whether it consists of one or one thousand people. If you are a manager, leader, or hope to one
day become one, this book is a must read.
Dr. Richard E. Tompkins, President, Explore Truth Ministries
Steve Martin has a gift from God. He is a visionary.
That cannot be taught and few people have that. I've
worked with him for three ministries. I was always amazed at how he could
take a company from being in the red financially and turn it around into the
black - sometimes in a short period of time. I used to say "You should
write a book and workbook too." As
his friend for over 24 years, I know anyone who reads this book will say
"Wow!" too and gain much timely wisdom.
Indira Persad, Founder, Indira Persad Ministries Charlotte,
NC
I worked with Steve for five years, assisting him in
photography in one of the ministries. It was an honor to work alongside of him.
He made the job so much fun. The Steve that I got to know did everything that
he has written about in his book, "Leadership Through Love". This is
a must read book for anyone who is struggling in their administrative jobs. It
will help you to re-focus on what really matters.
Sandra McCain, Fort Mill, SC
After a
few years of living in a wheelchair, the day came when the Lord revealed
Himself to me. And while I sat in that wheelchair He spoke to me and said, “Lech Lecha! Go to Jerusalem and pray for the
peace and love for My city!” After my return He made me walk again
and started to use me as a pastor of a Messianic Jewish congregation. And with
that congregation we started to support a humanitarian work named Vision for
Israel & The Joseph Storehouse in Israel. Then several years ago Steve
Martin and I met each other for the first time in Israel while serving for this
same humanitarian organization. He was one of the inspiring members of the
organizing team of the Succot Celebration in Jerusalem. My wife Carla and I
were impressed about the way this team was working together.
The
teamwork was based on love and respect for each other. Since then we met
annually in Jerusalem for the Succot Celebration, and every time again it was
Steve Martin who showed us in practice that love was the ideal basic in working
together and serving people. James says: “Faith
without works is dead!” The works he means are the works of love. The love
we put into our work, in our relations and in all of our life should be the
love that God gives us by His Spirit. If we believe, we should use this love;
otherwise our faith is nothing. This same love is the theme of this book.
It shows
you that the Love of God through each and every one of us should be used as the
main part of our work together. Steve is a man who knows this and showed it to
us in practice. And he knows how to explain it, as this book will show you by
simply giving you some ideas and tools. Therefore we recommend this book to
you. Carefully try to implement these ideas into your relations in your work
and daily life. May the Lord bless you, Baruch haShem.
Peter Nissen, Beit Emoenah, The Netherlands
“Leadership
Through Love” comes from the heart of a man who has been there; who has
managed, administrated and served for several decades and he is one who has
indeed done it not only excellently, but also from the motivation of love. His writing reveals the foundational
backbone upon which leadership and oversight must rest; love toward God first
and secondly love, respect and honor toward the people God has created in His
image - our coworkers and staff. And because Steve’s foundational motive is
right on and rock-solid, the insights, lessons and wisdom-nuggets he offers so
eloquently and succinctly are also right on and rock-solid.
While
there are volumes of books on the mechanics of administrating and managing, the
author has brought forth in “Leadership Through Love” the all-important
underlying truth that must be the motivating factor behind it and all its
aspects. He speaks to the heart of those
who are called to lead and oversee - not for their own personal interests or
ambitions, but as those who desire to reflect the heart and nature of their
heavenly Father.
He
systematically lays out the pragmatic nuts and bolts that are required to
manage and oversee in a creative, productive and excellent manner.
Sharing
candidly from his own personal journey of experience, he covers some of the
pitfalls common to administrating and how they can be avoided – very valuable
lessons indeed. For those who aspire to
or feel called to roles of leadership administration, this book will be a very
valuable tool in not only the mechanics of leadership, but also in the heart of
leadership.
On a
personal note I have known Steve and Laurie Martin since 1990 and I can testify
that they are people of consistent impeccable character and
Christ-likeness. They are humble, kind
and honoring of others and they have gained great wisdom through the many
seasons of walking their faith-journeys.
They have endured bitter winter-seasons in suffering deep
disappointment, but they have kept their hearts right and have overcome and
come forth as purified gold. So dear
reader, open wide your heart and receive from this father-of-the-faith as he –
and his wife alongside him - have much to teach and share with us. All glory and honor go to our Father in
heaven who administrates and oversees all creation and His family of mankind in
perfect harmony and love. By His grace,
may we learn His ways of “Leadership Through Love.”
Karla Shrake, Mantles of Glory Ministries, Dallas, TX
I am pleased to add my personal endorsement to this creative endeavor by
Steve Martin. I have had the honor to know Steve for nearly ten years.
Steve is a prolific writer, who has a wonderful gift of being able to
share his experiences and insights of life in a practical, yet humorous style.
His writings are often full of delightful "nuggets of truth"
which he has gleaned from his remarkable walk with the Lord these many years.
Dr. William Duerfeldt, Asheville, NC
Reading Steve Martin’s new book ‘Leadership through Love’ led
me to a tear and a quick repentance. How often we can overlook the journey for
the objective - what we do as opposed to who we are. Steve uses his life
testimony to shine light on the importance of loving relationship in the
workplace. It is good to be reminded of that, in spite of our great visions.
The higher we climb in the Kingdom the greater the responsibility and the more
numerous the people we need to serve and love. I thoroughly recommend this book
to all in business and ministry. Thank you Steve for reminding me to love the
people I work with.
Martin Powell, Kingdom
Talents, Owner
Contents
Chapter
1 A Gift for His
Purposes Page 14
Chapter
2 Use the Tools You
Have,
But Not
the Staff Page 19
Chapter
3 Women Arising in
the Workplace Page 24
Chapter
4 Train and Let
Loose Page 27
Chapter
5 Burn Candles at
Both Ends? Page 32
Chapter
6 The Visionaries
Need You! Page 36
Chapter
7 Staff Fun Times Page 40
Chapter
8 It Doesn’t All
Depend On You Page 42
Chapter
9 Practically
Speaking and Walking Page 47
Chapter
10 Meetings – Need
Them? Page 50
Chapter
11 Acknowledge Him in
All Ways Page 53
Chapter
12 Another Man’s
Vineyard Page 57
