Building a strong team of committed disciples is one of the keys to rebuilding our churches.
My leadership style uses the Nehemiah model. After hearing about the desolation of Jerusalem’s walls and how the city continued to lie in ruin, Nehemiah was moved and inspired to act. (Nehemiah 2:8)
Nehemiah goes out on his beast, assesses the land and the damage, and then returns to the people to present his observations. His presentation included how he could not be aware of the circumstances and not attempt to do something (his convictions), a call for the community to come together, a shared vision, effective communication, and an invitation to be a part of the solution.
Thusly, they were persuaded to follow Nehemiah’s leadership through inclusion, words that empowered, and an attitude focused on accomplishing the mission. He lead and motivated them because they had a mind to work, be a part of the team, organize, collaborate, invest and build where they were to improve their community.
Most importantly, Nehemiah reminded them that God and the King had provided for and inspired the work.
By Advancing the Kingdom of God through Resource Development, Inspired Integrity, Strategic Planning, and Economic Empowerment, It Was Done.
#ARISEwithAdams
Advancing the Kingdom through Resource Development, Inspired Integrity, Strategic Planning, and Economic Development
Advancing the Kingdom
Growing our churches will require us to change our mindset from making church members to focus on adding souls to the kingdom of God. We must examine the world around us and be aware of what is happening while not becoming like the world.
Resource Development
We are stronger when we work together. It is important for us to take a look at what resources are needed in our local churches and begin to provide them or collaborate with others. The objective is to ensure the team has what they need to complete the work.
Inspired Integrity
Reputation is what others know about you; integrity is what you know about yourself. We must raise the bar in communication, loyalty, attitude, and perception to do things honestly and trust God for the outcomes. I have tried to obey God and follow Christ in my personal and professional daily practices to lead by example. As a leader, we must be proactive and not reactive to most situations, especially our financial dealing. I have worked to have an inclusive leadership team that reflects the members of our churches and the values we uphold. I have stood for truth and righteousness, even when it was hard, isolating, or costly. I trust God.
Strategic Planning
We must learn to be intentional and not anxious. By evaluating potential strategies, being intentional about the outcomes we are working toward, and setting measurable goals, we will develop missions (what we want to do) and visions (how what we want to do it) for our churches and ministries that will allow us to reclaim our mantle as The Freedom Church. As a pastor and presiding elder, I have developed an effective approach to working with my team and improving the weekly operations of the ministry. We have created policies for administrative roles and metrics to measure our success.
Economic Empowerment
Economic Empowerment requires having the knowledge and discipline to manage finances effectively by utilizing budgets to help control spending, organize expenses, and analyze income and expenditures. We must create new streams of revenue to sustain our connections budget and control our existing budget to not overburden our local churches. I have managed an annual budget of over $860,000 for the last six years and raised over $1.2 million in the same time period.
ARISE with Adams, and Let’s Build Together!
22 years ago, I sat in the sanctuary of Cathedral A.M.E. Zion Church and listened to this energetic young man talk about Gospel Hip-Hop in the church. He was passionate about reaching the next generation for Christ. While he is often misunderstood for his non-traditional but realistic approach to ministry, he is authentic in that approach.
He probably had no idea that 22 years later, in 2022, he would
1. Be the pastor of Cathedral A.M.E. Zion Church, Jackson, Mississippi, and
2. Offering himself as a candidate for Bishop in the A.M.E. Zion Church.
I know Rev. Gary Adams to be innovative, intentional, creative, conscious, committed, faithful, and focused. He is family-oriented, ministry-minded, biblically astute, and community-based.
Watching Gary Adams on the frontline of the Jackson Water Crisis the past six weeks has been nothing short of amazing. His heart to help and heal his community is a testament to the calling of God upon his life. He is a hard and willing worker. It is fitting that he has chosen Nehemiah 2:17-18 as his campaign scripture. In all of his ministry, he has been rising and building. We join in this journey with Gary and Janieth Adams to R.I.S.E. We commend them to God as they offer Resources - Integrity - Strategy - Economic Empowerment to A.M.E. Zion Church.
Bishop Eric Leake #107