Noah Manyika's Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on It's Official: I Am A Defector

2009-06-15T22:48:40Z

Sounds to me like you are reclaiming Christian Leadership!

Comment on Not Because We Can, But Because We Must!

2009-02-01T04:44:06Z

Ah, so you have discovered the children from Double Oaks after all. They are at Hall House! What are we doing? What is the Queen City doing? Where is the city that is set upon a hill?

Come on Charlotte, we can do better. Yes we can!

Comment on It's Official: I Am A Defector

2009-01-30T22:01:42Z

hey Noah,
I have kept up with your recent blog posts and have been encouraged to read how you are allowing God to continue to transform you. We will pray that you will continue to dream big, and let God do with you what He will. We need more leaders who are surrendered to God, and who are willing to use creativity to challenge and transform communities. We hope to stay connected with you- I have a feeling we'll be back in Charlotte again someday.

Comment on Free At Last: Rediscovering The Instinct to Lead

2009-01-28T14:47:06Z

I "happened" on to your website today and read this blog entry. WOW! You are probably number three in a series of "encounters" I have had in the past month that are too similar to be anything but God-directed. God is definitely trying to tell me something that I think is about the freedom to be the me He created me to be. Thank you. Thank God for you.

Comment on It's Official: I Am A Defector

2009-01-22T14:21:21Z

I believe this article highlights a very important aspect of leadership. Being tagged a "Christian Leader" in the current environment makes one insular and there a general expectations of towing the line that stifles the freedom and ability to dare big and seek to hear the voice of the Lord - no matter how radical. Leaders in the bible dared and did uncharacteristic things...the prophets in the old testament sometimes ordered whole tribes to beheaded, A King (David) danced without his clothes to make a point, Jesus took a whip to folks disrespecting the Church (can anyone imagine a Christian Leader getting into a Church with a whip today??). If you get boxed as a "Christian Leader" today, you are expected to give up all your talents as a soldier who can fight and kill for the Lord's cause (David did not), expected to give up all your business acumen and ability to create wealth (Solomon did not), the special abilities of your other professions (Luke did not stop being a physician), give up you ability to talk or write about worldly wisdom (Solomon did not) etc. Christian Leaders are expected to be of a very narrow mold today, and as a result they cannot dare to make controversial decisions or bold actions (but what stops them from doing that if they believe that is what the Lord called them to do?). We serve of God who knows no bounds, who promises Psalms to fight our battles for us, whose Spirit roams the earth seeking to stand in the gap for those who call upon his name, who promises in Deuteronomy to bless all we touch in his name, who says that we shall be leaders (NOT Christian Leaders but Leaders) and not tails, who says in Isaiah 59 that no miracle is too large for him? So being a Christian Leader should be synonymous with daring and dreaming big and knowing that power and ability in Christ knows no bounds. Otherwise those leaders who dare dream big like Noah are left with no choice but to say, this "Christian Leader" title stifles me because of what it seems to represent in this generation. Take that mantle away from me and just let me be a daring servant of Christ (who sings, who acts, who can be a businessman, who can make tough decisions if they believe they hear hear the Lord (not men), who can do the radical to be an extension of the hand of the Lord to the poor. For the Lord did not give us a spirit of timidity!Better to just call me a "Leader"

Comment on It's Official: I Am A Defector

2009-01-19T18:30:42Z

Pastor... this is so profound and timely!! Especially on this day of remembrance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and all those who sacrificed and died for our right to stand this day... and for tomorrow... a day destined and ordained by God to usher in a new promise of hope for the disenfranchised as we the people witness the inauguration of a son of Africa and America. God Bless you and all those who serve the charge given by Almighty God to be His Hands and Feet in the earth.

Comment on Free At Last: Rediscovering The Instinct to Lead

2008-12-25T23:57:07Z

Bishop, I see you in the distance coming back to the reservation to find the rest of us still cocooned by our progressive ideas. You have always been out there(in a good way). Thank you for it. I have often commented that my own education has made me a prisoner to faithlessness, and inactivity. Thanks for the reminder that the challenge before us is to do, to be, and to become and not simply to learn about doing, being, and becoming.
I think you have just delivered me from a conference this year. Go figure, I have actually freed up some time to lead!

Comment on Where are the children from Double Oaks today?

2008-12-04T20:30:21Z

Hey Noah,
We will be praying for you guys as you continue to bring the Kingdom to Charlotte. I am particularly praying for many of you spiritual leaders to continue praying together, seeking the will of God for many denominations and bodies in the area to become united in Spirit and Mission. We love you guys and felt honored to share a small part of our lives with you.