Success of a Leader in God’s Kingdom

Welcome to Leadership Talk. In today’s episode, Pastor Priji converses with Pastor Praneet Calvin. In this conversation we get to learn on how we can never fail if we have been intentional in hearing God’s voice and have yielded ourselves to be led by His Spirit. 

Transcript:

Ps. Priji: Greetings in Jesus’ name. Welcome to leadership talk podcast. It is our great joy to come to you month after month, bringing you God’s heart concerning our leadership abilities. It’s our privilege to have Pastor Praneet Calvin with us. We believe his journey, his stories and the things he learnt in his walk with God and in his leadership will inspire us.

Ps. Praneet: Thank you for the invitation, Pastor Priji. You have been a blessing to me and Anupa and our Church. It is such a joy to be here and want to thank everyone listening and pray that the Spirit of the Lord leads us into a fruitful time of conversation that is a blessing to young and old.

Ps. Priji: We would love to hear your personal journey on leadership and would like to understand how have your perspective on leadership evolved through the different environments God has put you through.

Ps. Praneet: I never thought about being a leader in the church and was very much involved in stage, theaters. Also, I started composing at a very young age. There came a time I had an accident and was bed ridden for one and half year and I had given up on life and that’s when I encountered God. I even attempted suicide and clearly heard God say, ‘I love you…go back!’ I returned home to Jeremiah 29:11.
It spoke to me directly as I opened my Bible; understanding that God knows each and every plan in our life. I never planned to be in ministry. Being a Pastor is quite difficult as I have seen my Dad handle this personally. I never planned on becoming a Pastor or a leader but God definitely had greater plans for me. I found joy in serving in simple things like cleaning and putting up chairs, help the sound team. I used to wait for Sunday mornings. Bible says to be faithful in the little. In the kingdom, as leaders, we are servants as well. I will serve the Lord in every capacity I am able. Leadership is not about being the boss alone but it is solely about serving.

Ps. Priji: That is amazing. You mentioned this is not something you wanted to do but it’s about how an encounter with God shifted your dreams to serving the purpose of God in life. How important is hearing God’s heart and will in our life? Why is hearing from God so important even for those who are leaders in different sectors.?

Ps. Praneet: It is so important to hear from the Lord. My core vision on serving God is not about being on stage. It begins in my house itself in the role that I am in; hearing God’s voice is the base for it. Romans says, “They that are led by the spirit are sons of God.” In my early stages of my ministry in different cities, I saw God not being there. I cried and yearned to God to walk with me when I minister because only God can impact lives. Its not man’s talent alone. Being in the center of God’s will, walking with God and hearing from God is success to me. I know I will never fail because I am walking with God and have heard God.
It’s not about singing in front of 70k people or preaching in a stadium. Hearing God’s voice and doing His will is what matters. God has a plan for our lives and he is personally interested in our lives. As the Bible says, “Call unto me and I will answer”. For a believer, hearing God’s voice daily is very important.

Ps. Priji : I understand and agree from personal experience because when we hear from God and are walking in His will, His presence is assured. As you rightly said that is how we measure success. We see that in the life of Joseph, inspite of the adverse circumstances, God was with Joseph. When we pursue the voice of God, its obvious that His presence will also follow. When we experience success it’s very easy to get carried away and think we made it happen, especially when we are young, pride begins to form. What have you done to pursue humility and close doors to not let pride come into our heart?

Ps. Praneet: The idea is to glorify God in everything. I know I can write a good song or compose a good melody because God has blessed me with this talent. But as a son of God, I have to evaluate myself. It is very important. As time goes by, we may not understand how we have already drifted from the God’s plan and purpose unknowingly. But each and every day, breaking down at His feet, asking for more of God’s presence and yearning to understand God better, it’s the only way to stay humble. It’s only God and not me. We have to pray and listen to those nudges from the Holy Spirit. This has personally helped me a lot.

Ps. Priji : Yes. It is very necessary to check our heart regularly. God opposes the pride but he gives the grace to the humble. We want to know in influencing people, what do you do to stay accountable to people around, above and beside you, how do you remain receptive to people around you?

Ps. Praneet: I am blessed to have Pastor Subi Samuel as my spiritual father and mentor. It’s so important to have a transparent relationship with our mentor. In the kingdom, accountability is very important. I prayed and asked God for a godly mentor and He orchestrated it beautifully and since then I have understood what it is to walk rightly with God. We all need a person that carries the voice of God that speak to us especially when it comes to correction. A voice which guides us yet show the love of a father. In the Bible, we see how God has sent men for correction like David and Prophet Nathan. It does not matter how big or small you are, you need to have a mentor who is truly God sent. Even with the core team, we are very transparent with finances and stay accountable to each other.

Ps. Priji: This is the most overlooked thing in our generation that we only need a mentor only when we are in a bad season. But even when we see success, staying accountable helps us keep humility. What do you do to create content that inspires a generation? How do you attain that quality of content?

Ps. Praneet : To this day, every song that I have written is born out of encounters. Our God is a God of excellence and content is at His feet!! I have never written or sang any song to impress a man. Bible says, “Jesus grew in favor of man and God.” So, in my serving, heaven should celebrate. We people as well but my heart wants to please God because one step from me is hundred steps from Jesus. Even if one life is impacted, its the greatest joy because heaven rejoices over that one soul. Intimacy with God is where my content comes from.

Ps. Priji: Wow! We enjoyed hearing how you have been inspired to write these songs. When you are inspired, it will automatically inspire others. Thank you Pastor Praneet for speaking and pouring out your heart to us. Can you take a moment to pray for our listeners and impart a blessing over them?

Ps. Praneet: Surely. Let’s pray. Thank you dear Lord for the beautiful conversation we have had. thank you for leading and for being a part of this conversation. I pray for the listeners that they may have an encounter and that they seek you. I pray that you would open heaven over each one listening. you would bless them with new songs and melodies, new revelations because everything that is beautiful comes from you alone. we ask for more of you, Jesus.
Let each and every one grow in excellence and come closer in their walk with you. I bless each and everyone because I know you have done wonderful and marvelous things in this podcast.
I bless and thank you for the lives of Pastor Priji and Pastor Rashmi and their kids. Thank you for using them to impact this generation. In Jesus’ name! Amen.

Ps. Priji: Amen! thank you so much Pastor Praneet. If our listeners need to connect with you what’s the best way they can connect with you on social media or email or what is the best way they can connect with you?

Ps. Praneet: Yes, I am available on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can also find my songs on Spotify and YouTube. Thank you!