Mike Madding is one of the great Christian leaders in America. As senior pastor of The Cove Church in Mooresville, NC, Mike leads a congregation running over 6,000 in weekend attendance across its five campuses. Of all the churches I have ever visited or had the privilege of working with, The Cove Church has the most loving and servant-minded staff I have come across.
The Cove’s Executive Pastor Rick Carney gave me a heads up Mike’s message this past weekend was going to be special and how right he was. Upon returning from a recent mission trip to the Middle East, Mike preached on the need to have a BIG vision in your life. You can watch the full sermon by clicking here.
One of things which separates great pastors from average ones is a big vision from God and the ability to install a similar big vision in the hearts and minds of those in their church.
Mike gave his church a gift this past weekend which I now joyfully share with you. Whether you are a pastor, business leader, stay-at-home mom, coach, or student, the following 45 Lessons On Casting A Big Vision For God will make you a better leader.
- “Nothing of eternal value happens without prayer…Where you see the church alive is where the church is praying.”
- “We are praying for 300 people to come to faith on November 16th and 17th.”
- “We need big goals. We need big dreams. We serve a big God with a big vision for what He wants to do.”
- “It is possible to live a life without vision, without a inkling of what He wants you to do.”
- “I believe God wants to do something BIG in our lives.”
- “Let’s learn from the best. Let’s learn from the life of David.”
- “Vision needs to be shared and you need to practice doing that with even the small little things God has said to you.”
- “If you want to see God’s vision (then) develop the habit of telling people ‘This is what God has said to me.”‘
- “I only listen to criticism from people who love Jesus, love the church, and love me.” – Perry Noble
- “The bigger the vision is the more time you need in order to test it out.”
- “If you got a big vision, you must drip it.”
- “If you have to do something big for God, you have to rise up in front of everyone else.”
- “We serve a God who is limitless. God is doing BIG things in the world today.”
- “I believe God has something BIG for everyone of us to do. The question is will you walk in it?”
- “Students I want you to believe BIG. I want you to see the world as a BIG place where God is at work.”
- “We (our students) can pray for people. We can make a difference. Our students were alive. We want to feel alive.”
- “We can’t see the harvest unless God open our eyes.”
- “Students, I want to get to your heart. What you see here in our little area is not all there is. This is a BIG world and we serve a BIG God who can use anyone who wants to be used.”
- “A big vision requires preparation.”
- “The bigger the vision the longer you will have it. David made preparations for years.”
- “I believe our neighborhood campuses are a preparation phase for what God is going to day one day we can’t fully understand.”
- “Start with your passion…What could be better because sometimes God turns your misery into your ministry?”
- “If you follow Him, God often says, ‘No’…’No’ is never the end of what God wants to do in your life.”
- “‘No’ doesn’t mean stop…Let God redirect you…Don’t do God’s will your way.”
- “A God-sized dream will make you feel the pleasure of God.”
- “You may see the vision but not be the lead person.”
- “I believe the hardest instrument to play is 2nd fiddle. And sometimes the most important role is the support role.”
- “It’s not about what I’ve accomplished. It’s about what my wife and I have accomplished.”
- “It’s about what all of us have accomplished together.”
- “Big vision covers several generations.”
- “I (God) want you (Mike) to raise up 10 young pastors who will one day be better than you are.”
- “It’s fun to invest in the next generation.”
- “God wants our obedience more than our visionary thinking.”
- “Future blessings are dependent upon obeying today.”
- “If you want to do great things for God you have to live IN the vision.”
- “Obedience really matters. Vision must be lived out in front of people.”
- “People with vision become more visible. Vision creates visibility.”
- “Are you willing to be know in that way…Are you willing to sacrifice your personality as a Jesus follower?”
- “Leadership means visibility. You’ve got to live out in front with boldness.”
- “You don’t need to stand out for Jesus. You must stand with Him.”
- “Big vision takes courage.”
- “If you want be a leader you have to have courage, to encourage, and to give courage to others.”
- “We have a vision to be a church of 40,000.”
- “Sharing my faith with my family. Isn’t that the scariest thing you can think of.”
- “There is no fear because you are walking in the Spirit with The Spirit and God just uses you in great ways.”
Do you want want God to do great things in your life? Incorporate these 45 lessons and you will see God do just that.
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