BabuLife

Freedom

Tonight, at 11pm CST (6 minutes ago at the time of this post), I did something.  I cleaned my email files. An insignificant thing for most, but not for this hoarder of negative interactions.  You see, for over 12 years I have kept folders and subfolders of conversations I've had with people who had beefs with me. People who served under my leadership, people who co-labored with me in ministry, people who randomly left comments on this website debating or pointing out my fallacies in thinking. Tonight, at 11pm CST, it ended. 

No more reminders of past failings. I've learned the lessons. No more reminders of friends who felt I failed them in some way causing them to leave the ministry of the church I'm at. No more calls of, "You aren't worthy, can't you see Ben? You failed these people and it's just going to happen again."  I'm done blaming myself for the decisions of others and letting them control my ability to use my gifts and talents for the Body of Christ.   So if you ever sent me scathing emails or social media messages, you likely had a folder. I thanked God for our time together and the lessons our friendship, relationship or interaction gave me. Then I hit delete. Not just the trash, but forever delete. Sometimes it's just good to speak this out loud so it doesn't have silent control. You yourself may be a hoarder of conversations that tear you down as well.  Now I'm looking forward to clarity in making decisions that aren't filtered through the voices of the past. Maybe I'll let you know how it's going and you might consider doing the same. 

FREEDOM at last!

 

Show Me

Are you willing to do what you ask your people to do? I've served alongside and for leaders who werent willing to do the things that are "beneath them". I've also served with leaders who display this principal continually. There is nothing more uninspiring than seeing your leader unwilling to roll their sleeves up. People are more willing to follow someone who isn't afraid to get dirty. Someone who is willing to roll mic cables before standing onstage leading worship in front of a thousand people. Or someone who is willing to clean a toilet without fanfare. I've learned so much being a part of a church from infancy to its current stage. I've seen people come to me wanting to jump onstage attempting to convince me of their skill and talent. While I am extremely interested in their musical skill, I'm always most interested in their heart and desire to serve with joy coming not from melting faces...but from seeing people encounter God. So for you leaders, show your people you aren't above doing the little things. I guarantee it will inspire and encourage your people. Let me also say...don't do it then telling people "look what I'm doing...did you see me doing that?"...just BE that person. It really does start with your heart. #babulessons #worship #churchleaders #worshipleaders

A photo posted by Ben Abu Saada (@babusaada) on Nov 18, 2015 at 10:03am PST

Are you willing to do what you ask your people to do? I've served alongside and for leaders who werent willing to do the things that are "beneath them". I've also served with leaders who display this principal continually. There is nothing more uninspiring than seeing your leader unwilling to roll their sleeves up. People are more willing to follow someone who isn't afraid to get dirty. Someone who is willing to roll mic cables before standing onstage leading worship in front of a thousand people. Or someone who is willing to clean a toilet without fanfare. I've learned so much being a part of a church from infancy to its current stage. I've seen people come to me wanting to jump onstage attempting to convince me of their skill and talent. While I am extremely interested in their musical skill, I'm always most interested in their heart and desire to serve with joy coming not from melting faces...but from seeing people encounter God. So for you leaders, show your people you aren't above doing the little things. I guarantee it will inspire and encourage your people. Let me also say...don't do it then telling people "look what I'm doing...did you see me doing that?"...just BE that person. It really does start with your heart. #babulessons #worship #churchleaders #worshipleaders

A photo posted by Ben Abu Saada (@babusaada) on Nov 18, 2015 at 10:03am PST

Know Me

Leaders are cut one of two ways. They are either leaders who make people do their bidding...or those whom people love to serve. The biggest thing I've learned over time in leadership is understanding the importance of just...being. Being yourself. Being who you are. Not trying to be a carbon copy of some leader from somewhere else (tried it and failed). Leaders, if you want people to get on board, just get to know the people you lead. Not in a "check list" kind of way, but in a way that people understand that you're a human with faults, failures and issues just like everyone else. Let the people know you and take time to know the people you lead. Make this priority and I believe you will accomplish so much more. #babulessons

A photo posted by Ben Abu Saada (@babusaada) on Nov 13, 2015 at 1:11pm PST

Leaders are cut one of two ways. They are either leaders who make people do their bidding...or those whom people love to serve. The biggest thing I've learned over time in leadership is understanding the importance of just...being. Being yourself. Being who you are. Not trying to be a carbon copy of some leader from somewhere else (tried it and failed). Leaders, if you want people to get on board, just get to know the people you lead. Not in a "check list" kind of way, but in a way that people understand that you're a human with faults, failures and issues just like everyone else. Let the people know you and take time to know the people you lead. Make this priority and I believe you will accomplish so much more. #babulessons

A photo posted by Ben Abu Saada (@babusaada) on Nov 13, 2015 at 1:11pm PST

Inspire Me

Leaders, your people need you. Don't tell them what they aren't good at. Tell them what inspires them to achieve the "impossible". #babulessons #worshipleaders #churchleaders #leadership

A photo posted by Ben Abu Saada (@babusaada) on Nov 12, 2015 at 4:22pm PST

Leaders, your people need you. Don't tell them what they aren't good at. Tell them what inspires them to achieve the "impossible". #babulessons #worshipleaders #churchleaders #leadership

A photo posted by Ben Abu Saada (@babusaada) on Nov 12, 2015 at 4:22pm PST

Well Hello There

I know, I know. Here I am once again posting to a blog that I've said I may return to one day. I've had this blog for 10 years now. The anniversary passed with no fanfare...no recognition...not even a post. Why did this happen? Why did I lose the desire to log on a post something here? I think the killer was social media. I got used to posting things in 140 characters or less. I also noticed that when I started this blog, there were only a few of us worship leaders out here talking. Then it all changed. Everyone started blogging. I think perhaps the introvert in me began to transfer over to the blogosphere. I'm not sure...but here's a blog post for 2015. The second one actually. Since you're here...and perhaps you are curious where I am, you can find me at these places:

Instagram as @babusaada and @KSGeekMan

Twitter as @babusaada and @KSGeekMan

Etsy as KSGeekMan

of course I'm on the Facebook so you can find me there as well. 

So here's a question, who's listening to this post? Are you still here? 

Hope you all are well.