You can’t handle the TRUTH! Honesty & Transparency.

June 16, 2010
Leadership Clip to Evernote
3

"Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway."

Mother Teresa

I have found these are (2) some of the most difficult practices to keep out front in ministry. There are so many things that would pull us away from these vital ingredients of influencing those we lead.

Honesty

  • Difficult when, telling the WHOLE truth, may offend a big giver, or close friend.
  • Difficult when, telling the WHOLE truth, will actually hurt someone close and influential in the church.
  • Difficult when,  telling the WHOLE truth, may cause some to leave your church. That hurts!

Transparency

  • Scary when, you’re not sure others will do the same. Makes you feel like an island.
  • Scary when, you’re not sure those listening don’t have rocks in their hands.
  • Scary when, you’re not sure  it won’t be thrown in your face at a latter time.

Honesty & Transparency are tough! Operating with these on a constant basis is an absolute necessity! But, don’t think leading and living with these don’t come with a price. But the rewards are far greater than the sure failure if not practiced!

About artie: I'm the lead Pastor at Cornerstone, a Multi-Ethnic church in the heart of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Also the founder of the Comb Network.com, a movement to plant Multi-Ethnic, culturally relevant churches in smaller cities. I direct a gathering of small city leader called "The Sticks."

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  • Lance Wright

    Artie I have one word to say about this post! Outstanding!!!!!!!! This is absolute integrity. The Godly kind of life. The most challenging thing for me Artie is to keep this way out in front of me no matter how much it hurts. This is a constant struggle but no matter how deep the struggle the greater the reward and joy for giving my life away. Take care man, this was excellent.

  • http://www.compassioninactionsc.org Joe

    I post a lot on sites which focus on views which differ from my own as well as Christian sites. One thing that is constant across the board is that no matter what, someone (many someones) will disagree. We can't let that slow us down. It should only help us to make sure that what we are saying and doing is truly correct by the Word of God. I have found that as long as I can support my views with the Bible first and then reality, then the opinions of others who disagree really don't matter.

    It would be nice if everyone agreed with me, but it's not going to happen. This is a promise from God. I just wish that those on Christian sites were a little more unified in their thinking. It seems that far too often denominational doctrine clouds peoples views of what is written and pride keeps them from seeing. Eventually, everyone will know the ONE truth. Until then, we just press on through the storm.

  • http://twitter.com/nastynate803/status/21112429974913024/ Na Dizzie (@nastynate803)

    RT @artiedavis: You can’t handle the TRUTH! Honesty & Transparency. http://is.gd/jSLuw