Tag Archives: leadership

The House of God

Posted on August 5, 2023 by expressyourself4him

While attending large Christian gatherings at the University of Delaware, I was introduced to the concept that God is in the house tonight. Perhaps this was merely a hip expression student leadership was trained to say to energize the crowd. Yet, the phrase “the House of God” was first used by Jacob in the passage below.

And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock; 12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land. 13 Then God ascended from him in the place where He talked with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar (monument) in the place where he talked with [God], a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it and he poured oil on it. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God had talked with him Bethel [house of God], Genesis 35:11-15.

God spoke to Jacob directly, calling him to go to Bethel. Upon reaching this destination, Jacob built an altar as God had requested and called this El-bethel, the House of God. Jacob wasn’t dreaming or hallucinating, the God of his fathers was reminding him of His promises made to Abraham and Isaac. This one moment likely stuck Jacob for the rest of his life.

But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name. 17 For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God? 18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked? 19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God’s will must do right and commit their souls [in charge as a deposit] to the One Who created [them] and will never fail [them], 1 Peter 4:16-19.

Unless you attend a spiritual retreat or outdoor chapel, modern altars are typically found inside of traditional sanctuaries. Over the years, I have been inside of a church when God was truly present. Whether through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or a Spirit of Confession, the House of God isn’t limited to Bethel. May you find a church where the presence of the Lord is sensed like in the days of Jacob.

by Jay Mankus

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The Dew of the Heavens

Posted on May 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqdZMtySm2A

When my father’s company transferred him to their Delaware office, one of the perks included membership to a local golf club to entertain his clients. Subsequently, I was introduced to golf the following summer and began participating in the Penn Oakes Country Club Junior Golf program. Every Monday morning when my mom dropped me off, the grass will filled with dew. Putting and chipping was difficult until the summer sun evaporated all the dew from the greens. This is how I learned about the dew from the heavens.

Then his father Isaac said, Come near and kiss me, my son. 27 So he came near and kissed him; and [Isaac] smelled his clothing and blessed him and said, The scent of my son is as the odor of a field which the Lord has blessed, Genesis 27:26-27.

As Moses provides a brief history of how Israel came to be a nation, his words point to his leadership during the Exodus out of Egypt. The oral tradition of Isaac’s blessing to Jacob refers to the Dew of the heavens. From Moses’ perspective, this could be a reference to manna from heaven which appeared initially like a morning dew, Exodus 16:21. On the flip side, morning dew forming in a desert can also be refreshing in an arid climate. Whatever the meaning of this passage, Isaac points to how God supernaturally provides each day.

And may God give you of the dew of the heavens and of the fatness of the earth and abundance of grain and [new] wine; 29 Let peoples serve you and nations bow down to you; be master over your brothers, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Let everyone be cursed who curses you and favored with blessings who blesses you, Genesis 27:28-29.

Following this heavenly provision, Isaac turns his blessing toward food, wealth and an abundance of natural resources. Isaac doesn’t settle for average as his blessing goes over the top, beyond what most people dream. As Jacob listens to these words, I can imagine goosebumps appearing up and down his arms. Just as Moses witnessed the Red Sea departing and swallowing up the Egyptian Army, the Dew of the Heavens is like the icing on a cake of God’s ability to provide, Matthew 6:33-34.

by Jay Mankus

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The Revival I’ve Been Praying For

Posted on March 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

My first experience with a revival began on a bus ride home from Kings Island Amusement Park. Two teenage girls expressed a similar sentiment, “that was fun, but I need something more to quench my spiritual hunger.” As I joined this conversation, Cathy Force had a vision of a Church Lock-In centered around prayer and fasting. A few weeks later with input from my leadership team, the Twelve Hours of Power became a reality. In less than a day, I saw lives completed transformed by this one event.

And when you spread forth your hands [in prayer, imploring help], I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it, Isaiah 1:15-20.

Fast forward thirty years and America is not what it used to be. I grew up with School House Rock as commercials during Saturday morning cartoons featured “the Great American Melting Pot,” celebrating our differences but united under one flag and country. Today, current events are littered with stories about how racists America is and has been in the past. Subsequently, when I can’t decide on what to pray for, I’ll scan Fox News for a specific prayer focus. Yet, recently, the only conclusion that I’m come to is that only a true great awakening in the form of a revival can mend and repair this divided and divisive nation.

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working], James 5:16.

While traveling to visit my children this past weekend in college, I heard an interview of the Class President at Asbury University in Kentucky. This student gave an update on the revival on campus as well as what sparked this movement of God. When I got home, I discovered that another revival started 77 nights ago, as nearly 300 people have shown up to North Main Community Church in Barbourville, Kentucky to have an encounter with God. I don’t know how or when this movement of God will cease, but if visitors are transformed and commence similar movements in their hometowns, America still has a chance to return to it’s spiritual heritage of faith.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Tentmaker

Posted on December 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Six months following my graduation from the University of Delaware, I was floundering as a social worker and youth director. Based upon my interactions with ministry leaders in Delaware, I reached a point where I didn’t know what to do anymore. Since my life experiences were limited as a twenty-one-year-old, I scanned the internet to see if there was an organization that could help me. I stumbled upon Tentmakers Youth Ministry based in Hopkins, Minnesota. After a series of phone conversations and interviews, I was selected to participate in a relatively new extensive seven-week leadership training program. When I arrived, this was like a spiritual bootcamp who anyone interested in making the ministry their fulltime career.

To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael the father of Methusael, and Methusael the father of Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah and of the other was Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle and purchase possessions, Genesis 4:18-20.

Some days when I arrived on campus of the host church, people I talked with the day before were gone. As this training unfolded, a few quit and others were asked to leave because they didn’t possess the necessary ministry skills to survive this difficult career path. What I found out later, leaders were sitting in the back of the room observing our behavior and daily interactions. While this seems cut-throat, it’s better to exit before you fail than end up being the next headline in the latest church scandal. Although the workload was grueling, pressing the limits of my comfort zone day after day, Tentmakers Youth Ministry transformed me. This was the closest I ever came to experiencing heaven on earth, becoming close with people like Phil and Otis, both gifted ministers.

After this [Paul] departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently arrived from Italy with Priscilla his wife, due to the fact that Claudius had issued an edict that all the Jews were to leave Rome. And [Paul] went to see them, 3 And because he was of the same occupation, he stayed with them; and they worked [together], for they were tentmakers by trade, Acts 18:1-3.

This organization is based upon the apostle Paul’s philosophy about ministry. Paul believed that missionaries shouldn’t rely mainly on donations from sponsors. Rather, Paul encouraged Christian leaders to find a trade you are gifted in and use a portion of these funds to support your ministry. One of the reasons why Aquila and Paul became close friends is that they shared the ability to make tents. As Paul traveled throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean Sea, others were impressed by the tent Paul made for himself and wanted one as well. The first recorded tentmaker in history is Jabal, a descendant of Enoch. God blessed Jabal who traveled from field to field with his cattle, living in tents he made. If you have any aspirations to start your own ministry, follow the tentmaker model so that God will begin to make your dreams a reality.

by Jay Mankus

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The Original Omission

Posted on November 26, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Thanks to the writings of Augustine of Hippo who lived from 354–430 AD, the phrase peccatum originale was conceived. Augustine was referring to the passage below where Adam and Eve committed the original sin on earth by disobeying the boundary set by God in Genesis 2:16-17. When you place this passage side by side with James 1:13-15, Satan planted a thought inside of Eve’s mind that was eventually acted upon the more Eve stared at the fruit hanging from the Tree of Knowledge.

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate, Genesis 3:5-6.

When Moses documents this story that was passed down through oral tradition, one key detail is often overlooked. While the version of this passage doesn’t specify Adam’s whereabouts when Eve took the first bite, other translations of the Bible claim that Adam was right there with her. Adam failed to show leadership by not interrupting the serpent or simply exclaiming “get lost.” Subsequently, as Eve was busy committing original sin, Adam demonstrated the original omission.

So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin, James 4:17.

The word omission in the context of Genesis 3 means a failure to do something, especially something that one has a moral or legal obligation to do. Since Adam was given authority over the Garden of Eden with the responsibility of being a caretaker or in golf lingo the superintendent of Eden, Adam failed to uphold the only rule given to him by God. The earthly brother of Jesus clarifies what a sin of omission is in the passage above. The moment Adam sat idly by his wife’s side without stepping in to stop this tempting urge, the original omission was conceived.

by Jay Mankus

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Regaining Your Childhood Gaze

Posted on November 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A gaze is to look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought. While it’s hard to remember my own childhood, I do recall faces my own children made when they were young. Certain things caused each of them to be in awe. As an adult, you can get caught up in the rat race called life. When you don’t take the time to have balance, all work and no fun, it’s easy to lose your excitement and joy for life.

For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, 5 And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, Hebrews 6:4-5.

The author of Hebrews writes about a spiritual gaze. Whenever an individual enters into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-11, there is an enlightenment along with an internal peace within your heart. Unfortunately, just as a child can lose their gaze, any addiction, bad habit or habitual act will cheapen God’s grace. When temptation becomes too great, some Christians pray for God’s forgiveness before indulging in sin all over again. This appears to be the context of the passage above.

If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace, Hebrews 6:6.

I was introduced to Lay Witness Misson Weekends in high school. A visiting team of adults and teenagers come Friday for dinner as a meet and great and leave Sunday afternoon following church. I didn’t know what a spiritual revival was until I attended one. Under the leadership of Ken Horne, building blocks were used to point toward a climax on Saturday night. Over a decade, I was fortunate to attend several of these weekends which helped me regain my childhood gaze. It’s never too late to retreat to a place where you can reconnect with Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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My Helper and Keeper

Posted on November 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

After taking my last graduate level teaching class, I made some radical changes in my teaching style. My Classroom Management course taught me to seek out a responsible individual in each of my classes. This person served as the heartbeat and pulse of their peers. The purpose of this leadership position was to help and keep me aware of any learning difficulties within each unit. These unclear areas were then addressed prior to each unit test. While this system wasn’t perfect, it did help and keep me on track.

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth, Psalm 121:2.

The passage above was written during a climb or walk to the summit of a mountain in Jerusalem. This Psalmist remains nameless but was inspired to sing and write during this special stroll. One of the best ways to clear my mind in high school was to take a late-night jog while listening to my Walkman cassette player. One of my favorite music mixes was the soundtrack from Rocky IV. As each song began, adrenaline would cause me to run faster and faster.

 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield], Psalm 121:5.

According to the Psalmist, God gives you something greater than adrenaline. While specific details are left up to your own interpretation, the Psalmist credits God for helping each day and keeping him near. Moses speaks about this in Deuteronomy 28:1-3. Moses believes God’s presence as a helper and keeper is a form of blessings for being obedient to the Lord. Meanwhile, the Psalmist compares God to a spiritual warrior who shields the unarmed from danger. May you begin to see God as a helper and keeper.

by Jay Mankus

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A Rock That Can’t Be Shaken

Posted on September 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

If you ask a random crowd of American citizens a question about rock in the form of a man on the street interviews often used by late night comedians, someone will answer Dwayne Douglas. This professional wrestler has become simply identified as “the Rock.” Anyone who has witnessed the Rock’s chiseled body in a movie or in person may come to the conclusion that Dwayne Douglas can’t be shaken.

He reached from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy and from those who hated and abhorred me, for they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted and came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay and support, Psalm 18:16-18.

Yet, the Bible speaks of a supernatural rock. Before he was a king, David was a lowly shepherd boy. While moving his herd along hilly terrain, David would occasionally slip, fall or twist his ankle. David writes about a heavenly shepherd in Psalm 23. When you’re living out in the country as a nomad, you have plenty of time to reflect and think about life. This led David to stumble upon a rock that can’t be shaken.

And I tell you, you are [e]Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a [f]huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the [g]infernal region) shall [h]not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it], Matthew 16:18.

Following his correct answer to Jesus’ question to his disciples, Peter receives a compliment in the passage above. Jesus compares Peter to petros, a physical featured designed to point to his leadership in the first century church. As you walk through life, dodging falling rocks that come in the form of shifting circumstances and trials, may you come to know the Rock of the Bible that can’t be shaken, Ephesians 2:20.

by Jay Mankus

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Getting on the Same Page of Unity

Posted on August 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The origin of being on the same page is not fully clear. However, it is believed that this expression developed at some point during business meetings with executives. Rather than try to undermine one another, companies function best when leadership teams are on the same page. Churches often develop mission statements so that when questions arise, pastors and elders can get back on the same page as well.

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper], Colossians 3:12.

Unfortunately, there has only been one reported church that has sustained unity, Acts 2:42-47. While great awakenings of the18th and 19th centuries breathed new life into churches, unity did not last. According to Luke who served as a first century historian, traveling with Paul on several missionary trips, the early church-maintained unity by eliminating poverty. Rather than take up a weekly offering during a worship service, wealthy Christians sold their own possessions to provide funds for every emergency.

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. 14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony], Colossians 3:13-14.

The apostle Paul is blunt about what is necessary before unity can be achieved. This requires grace, love, patience, and selflessness. Apparently, early Christians practiced the words of Philippians 2:1-5 by taking on the attitude of Jesus. When church leaders emulate unity, members of a congregation start to follow. However, when unity is merely a spoken word without any action, getting on the same page of unity remains an unfulfilled goal.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 189: Lead Me

Posted on August 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

During a five-year stretch, I served on a security team for Christian concerts at Red Lion. The David Crowder Band and the News Boys were the headliners that our church hosted. However, one of the lesser-known bands at who opened for the News Boys was Sanctus Real. While I was busy at my security check point, a friend told me about their testimony shared on stage about battling with stuttering.

 Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity, 1 Timothy 4:12.

Sanctus Real’s song Lead Me reminds me of a message passed on to a first century preacher. Age shouldn’t be used as an excuse to not lead others. Rather, leadership involves emulating the life, speech and faith of Jesus Christ. The lyrics of Lead Me talk about reflecting upon what’s going on inside of you. Things may look okay externally, but leading starts by being transformed from within.

by Jay Mankus

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