It’s Christmas time, which means the year is coming to an end and 2014 is about to start. This is the month when we tend to put projects on hold to make room for stuffing stockings, wrapping presents, and attending a plethora of holiday parties.
It’s also the time of year that we reflect on the previous 12 months and gear up for the next 12. I’m not just talking about cheesy new years resolutions and weight-loss goals; I’m talking about our jobs, ministries, and churches.
As leaders, 2014 holds new battles, new challenges, and new goals for our ministries and organizations. So don’t just stumble in to January, prepare your flock to engage the new year like Joshua prepared the Israelites to engage for battle and take possession of their promised land.
So how exactly did Joshua (and God) prepare his people for battle?
Let’s take a look at Joshua, Chapter 5. It certainly wasn’t the typical battle preparation of rest, time with family, and the sharpening of weapons. He took a more unconventional approach and started by circumcising all his men. He followed that painful experience with the Passover ritual before God dried up their food source (Manna), and lastly he encountered God and joined His team.
We can learn from this as we prepare our flocks for this next year of ministry in 2014: