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O ur rescue mission just hosted a private re- ception for city lead- ers. We checked cell phones at the door because the meeting was about race. How can our city promote healing and recon- ciliation and hope in the arena of race and opportunity No easy conversation to be sure but Im glad we are trying to effect change. We invited AGRM Minister- at-Large Robert Loggins to open the conversation and Robert challenged the group to take a new look at the condition of our hearts. Gods progress is first made inside us before it is made through us to those around us. Robert challenged us to let God plow up our hearts. As leaders we are responsi- ble to shepherd resources sometimes great sometimes modest. But first we must shepherd our hearts. Ministry can be stressful frustrating and amazing. But the biggest vari- able in our leadership is the people that we are becoming along the way. Paul describes the fruit of Gods Spirit working in us Love joy peace patience kindness gentleness goodness faithfulness and self-control. Is my leadership known by these qualities Or am I simply innovative or effective At that gathering where we wrestled with the challenges of race in our community Robert told us The matter of the heart is the heart of the matter. And one of the guests replied with Proverbs 423 Above all guard your heart for every- thing you do flows from it. It made me think that my mission my staff and our clients are all impacted by my heart more than any other vari- able. And I will admit that my heart can be a busy busy place. Theres a lot going on in there. Because our hearts are our vehicles for deep relating if we dont share our hearts we dont share deep relationships. And its the deep relationships that create change. I have decided that this will be the test of my leadership That despite my position and responsibility I must remain vulnerable with my heart. Then I can nurture and treasure the hearts of my coworkers so that they can nurture and treasure the hearts of Gods broken children at our mission. Since our missions exist to create transformation let us leaders agree that the first transformation should occur in us We are called to be Christs handsare we also his heart If we have given so much but not our hearts have we truly given what people need 50 WWW.AGRM.ORG MARCHAPRIL 2016 DAY-TO-DAY LEADERSHIP LAB Mike Johnson Heart of the Matter As mission leaders the first transformation must occur within us Mike is executive director of The Rescue Mission in Tacoma Washington. He is a graduate of Pepperdine University a former Army Ranger an ordained minister and father of six childrenall adopted. You can email Mike at mike. johnsonrescue-mission.org.