There’s an interesting paradox to ministry and leadership.

In order to lead, you must know where you’re going, have something to say, and stay focused for the long haul.

Yet the more you lead, the more you’re emptied. The leadership train doesn’t slow down.

It can be exhausting.

How does one stay refreshed, focused, and in a prime state to lead? You must close the door.

Consider this:

You can’t lead worship if you don’t catch a vision of God behind closed doors.

You can’t lead a team if you don’t hear from God behind closed doors.

You won’t have a God-honoring public ministry without thriving, private devotion.

Your leadership will rise and fall on your dedication to closing the door.

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Do you want to be promoted?

Of course you do. There’s something distinctly human about being recognized, rewarded, and celebrated for our achievement.

Especially for musicians and creative types, we dream of the day when we take our rightful place on the pedestal.

I remember the first time I participated in the National Fine Arts program, performing a Dino Kartsonakis piano solo. The song was “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)”.

Now, aside from the fact that this song really tugs at people’s heartstrings, I played it fairly well. Musicians and music teachers knew I was gifted and the non-musical thought I was a genius.

In my little world of Assemblies of God Western PA, I became somewhat of a musical celebrity. Score. Expectations in my mind rose to grand heights of dominating the mountain of musical achievement for the rest of my life.

My problem? I was an addict.

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