Taking some advice...

Leadership Through Love (Chapter 12) - "Another Man’s Vineyard (…and now my own.)" - Steve Martin

Editor's Note: This is the final chapter of my book, "Leadership Through Love." If you have missed any of the previous chapters, you can search this blog using the Search box in the top right hand corner, inserting "Leadership Through Love." 

I hope you gain useful insights for yourself from reading this chapter, and all previous ones.

Shalom, with continued blessings on ye head.

Steve Martin

Chapter 12

Another Man’s Vineyard

(…and now my own.)

-          Follow & help fulfill their vision

-          Faithful with another’s

-          Learn and growth until your time

-          The proper way of moving on

For 23 years I served as the Administrator or Director of Operations & Finance for three different ministries, doing that which I knew to do. Together with the leaders of those respective ministries, we laid foundations and established further the “vineyard” that the Lord had entrusted to the founders.

As a vital part of the work, being faithful in adding to the building and the ongoing structure, it did enable me to do my part in seeing the work of the Lord done. The Lord was glorified, people were “built up” in the faith, buildings were restored and placed into the work of the kingdom, and the living spiritual vineyard produced lasting fruit.

My heart was given to the Lord through these ministries, but as time passed, there were things the Lord had been calling me to do, which my heart’s cry was to see them fulfilled. Beginning with what He had put in my heart, even as a young child, to be a missionary and take the gospel to the nations, and with ongoing prophetic words, the desire to have my own vineyard grew evermore present.

My natural gifts, which to me are an expression of the spiritual gifts He had given me, were in administration, accounting and general management of inventories, staff and daily tasks, but my heart so longed to “not sit behind a desk 40 hours a week”, but to travel and take His love beyond the local setting. Often I expressed that desire to those I was under, and to fellow workers. At times the desire was so intense, and I repeatedly asked the Lord when I would be delivered from the desk job to something that I knew for me was more.

During this time, the ongoing struggle to be faithful with the daily tasks, while at the same time praying and yearning for the adventurous tasks, was very difficult. Trying to keep focused on the maintenance of the ministry, when I wanted so much to be in the movement of the ministry, reminded me of Joseph in prison. He was in the Lord’s will I am sure, and yet the constant waiting of when that time would be over and he would be out of prison was something I could very much relate to.

At times I was even resentful of those who had the opportunities to go, while I stayed home and manned the fort. When I would hear them speak of the strain of travel and that type of ministry, my silent response was, “Then you stay and let me go instead”, but it never happened. I didn’t want to have the inner struggle of believing the grass is greener on the other side, but I honestly longed for the opportunities to travel in ministry.

Even more discouraging during the years when I was the administrator of one ministry where the leaders were often traveling, people would ask me if I went along to the distant lands and people. I had to respond “No.” It was hard to continue convincing myself that this was the place the Lord has for me, and I needed to be fulfilled in doing what I had been given to do. My job was to take care of the office and staff, while it was their job to go.

After many years of this struggle, I finally had to do something, and so asked if I could at least go once a year on an international trip with them. When the response came back as no, then to keep my having the ache of the heart continue, I gave my resignation notice, and began looking for the next position I believed the Lord would give me.

So what do you do as the administrator, or key person in an organization, and though you are good at what you are doing, your heart is just no longer in it? For me, I knew I had to move on. Otherwise my attitude would have become very bitter, and I would have brought harm to the ministry, rather than being a constructive part of the work.

When you are faced with this decision, the Lord will give you the proper way to leave a situation. In the times when I left two business and three ministry positions, He had generally given me a year’s notice prior to the course change up ahead. In my desire to then bless those whom I was leaving, I gave a three to six month notice, in order for them to find the right replacement and have training done for my position.

Even when I didn’t have another position lined up, the Lord honored my commitment I had with current leadership, to not leave them in a precarious place in their own work. And for each of these five job changes, He had brought a good replacement person for the work, and then led me to the next place that I was needed at.

There is always a proper way to leave one situation for another. As hard as change can be, and yet necessary, the Lord will reveal His plan if asked, and if each party is open to listening. I am thankful that that has happened in each case for me. I believe my honesty and faithfulness throughout the years at the job was a key factor in how the leadership blessed me in my leaving, and how I had blessed them.

During the transition time, the company or ministry had time to find another person to take my place. On two occasions I was able to recommend an assistant whom I had trained properly, and so the transition went very smooth. On two other occasions I recommended those I knew who had the skills to take over as I was leaving. They were hired, based on my recommendation.

I in turn had time to prepare my family, and to search for the next location of employment. Knowing that indeed it is true, “For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity”, gave me confidence that I was hearing the Lord during this transition, and that He was going to direct my steps.  Even when I didn’t have the next position in place at the time of my resignation notices, my faith in the Lord’s provision was constant. He had proven Himself trustworthy to me, and thus I was able to put my trust in Him.

And Now My Own

On November 23, 2009, on my 55^th birthday, I gave my resignation notice to the president and founder of the third ministry I had then served with, after a period of five years with them. This decision was based on several factors, including the first being that of the Lord, having put a desire in my heart, since I was ten years of age, to go to the nations. 

Several prophetic words had also been received over those many years, which brought encouragement and built up my faith. I knew the time had come to step out and start my “own vineyard”. 

So began the new ministry of “Love For His People, Inc.”  Along with other believers, we  primarily seek to bless the people of Israel with support, encouragement, and humanitarian aid. You can view our full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

It was, and continues to be, a time of needed faith, mindful that my trust rests on solid ground - the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

As a final thought, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord in all situations, and you will see Him direct your steps into His full purposes for you. I for one can testify of His faithfulness and His provision in all.

Carry on!

Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.  Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Israel. 

You can bless this ministry work now, through: Online PayPal gifts

You can also send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

©2013 Steve Martin      Love For His People, Inc.  12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134      

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com 

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People       

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

Blog: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com         

Full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Note: To read the Intro, Chapter Listings and first 11 chapters, please use the Search Box in the top right hand corner of this Blog. Enter "Leadership Through Love." Be blessed in your reading!

Leadership Through Love

Chapter Listings

1.      A Gift for His Purposes

- The Early Years

- On the job training

2.      Use the Tools You Have, But Not the Staff

- Treasure the people, while digging the foundations

- Do unto them as you would…

- Bless and curse not: honor those who serve with you

3.      Right Man (or Woman!) for the Job

- All are created equal – make the most of this!

- If the Shoe Fits, Have Them Wear It

4.      Train and Let Loose

- It IS Who You Know and Are Known By

- Hire To Complement Your Strengths

- if you are weak, then they are strong

- Outsource as needed

5.      Burn Candles At Both Ends? – NOT!

- Rest and Sabbath Days

- Mornings with the Lord

- Trust in Him at all times

- We all are given 24 hours each day

6.       The Visionaries Need You!

-          They dream it - you make it happen

-          It takes a team

-          Head Won’t Get Far without the Neck

(or heads will roll)

  

7.      Field Trips and More!

- Staff Retreats

- Party Time!

- Birthdays and BBQs

- After Hours

8.      It Doesn’t All Depend On You

- The Lord is the Rock – Not You

- Whose strength  - yours or His?

   - Key Staff to Lean On

    - Trustworthy managers and assistants

9.      Practically Speaking…and Walking

- Handle each piece of paper once

- File so you can find it!

- Early morning – before the others come

- Take a Break

10.  Meetings – Time-manger or Time-waster?

- Do you really need all those meetings?

- Group or One-On-One?

- Why Morning and Mid-Week?

 - Prov. 24:6 “By wise counsel…multitude of counselors

11.  Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways

- Heart of Thankfulness

- Heart of Worship

- Heart of Service

12.  Another Man’s Vineyard

-          Follow & help fulfill their vision

-          Faithful with another’s

-          Learn and growth until your time

-          The proper way of moving on