Blog Posts by Courtney McBath

You may be in a tight place right now, but recognize that there’s change taking place in your life! When we approach our limitations with the right mindset, we can stay strong and even grow in our limitations! Apply the strategies discussed and step forward in leadership effectiveness!

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When we find ourselves in a limited place as leaders, with everyone looking up to you, we can get stuck dwelling on the past. When we feel trapped, static, or caught in a waiting posture, all kinds of thoughts can seep into our minds. We may start longing to go back to some relationship or season of life that God ended. We may spend hours meditating on the circumstances that landed us in our limitations. Before we know it, our hearts are filled with hurt, frustration, anger, sorrow, blame, condemnation, fear, or all of the above.

Paul wrote, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14, NASB). Forget what lies behind. Paul had to “forget” so he could “press on.” As long as you are holding on to what’s behind you, you are hindered in reaching forward.

As one of the first African American kids to...

If you’re not investing in your leadership journey, you’re cheating yourself and inhibiting your potential growth. Take the time and effort required to invest in your leadership journey—strive to live and lead at the next level!

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When our journey in friendship with God seems to lead us to prison, we have to process our way through a storm of emotions. “What happened?” we want to know. There we were—we made ourselves vulnerable to God. We committed to being His friend. We opened our hearts to Him. We asked Him to help us learn to love Him better. We were doing our part, cultivating that first Next Level heart attitude—a heart for His friendship and leadership style— now, suddenly, we find ourselves alone, arrested, thrown into a cell, locked down in chains, and slapped with a trial date. We don’t see our prison as a “springboard for spectacular beginnings.” We wonder if we will ever fulfill the dreams and plans in our hearts.

When I was 13 years old, I found myself in this very position. There I was, walking in friendship with God—getting to know Him, even involved in ministry and leading others to Christ at a young age—when suddenly, the life I had...

Leadership and prayer go together like a hand in a glove. We are called first and foremost to have friendship with God! As you pray, and get influence from God then you can begin to influence those around in you in a good and godly way!

Watch Next Level Leadership LIVE every Wednesday at 9PM EST

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Friendship with God is what sustains us on the journey of life, especially as leaders. It is what gives us the strength to keep going when circumstances change, people vacillate, or the path takes a difficult and unexpected turn. Through the unpredictable conditions, relationships, and demands of leadership, we find everything we need in God. Joy and pleasure are in His presence, in His right hand, in His friendship (Psalm 16:11). He is our sustaining power. Our friendship with God is our true destination. It is the starting point of the journey, our gateway to the Next Level. It also is the Next Level: the place of our dreams and our destiny, the land we’re setting out to explore.

As with Adam and Eve in the garden, every temptation you face—every battle you fight—on your Next Level as an individual and leader is ultimately about one thing: your primary purpose of being God’s friend.

In the face of spiritual opposition, we must exercise faith and...

You cannot move on from what you refuse to acknowledge! Identifying the frustrations and disappointments of your life allows you to reflect on them and move on effectively. Then, you need to renew your confidence in the Lord to be used at higher levels!

Watch Next Level Leadership LIVE every Wednesday at 9PM EST

WATCH HERE 

First of all, Happy New Year!

I am grateful to God for you and the blessings He is going to release into your life in this year, 2021. However, we cannot access them if we do not make the decision to live and lead at the Next Level.

I can still remember preaching at Trinity Baptist Church in London, England. It was a church comprised of mostly Ghanaians who had relocated to Great Britain. It was there that the Lord gave me a message about Peter’s imprisonment, and seemingly ensuing death through Acts 12. After I preached that message, I began preaching and living the message of Next Level Living everywhere I went. This message is simple: the life you want you already have. Start living at the next level right now! The ultimate goal in human life is a friendship with an amazing and holy God. How could anything ever top that? Money, fame, influence—nothing comes close to being God’s friend—and that is Living at the Next Level.

Once we choose friendship with...

What are your priorities? Everything has a purpose. When we don’t understand the purpose of something, we tend to abuse it. It is essential that we come to recognize how to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives! Tune in for more information on leadership priorities!

Businesses, ministries, and non-profit organizations keep people connected by creating a strong sense of belonging. The vision, environment, and a loving culture are all critical to the sense of belonging, but none of these things is as impactful as a secure leader—a leader who has a sense of belonging in his/her own heart. Personally, knowing that I belong in God’s circle of friends helps me to lead others into a place of security and freedom. Creating a personal sense of belonging is essential to the growth of your organization.

Many leaders think creating a sense of belonging in your team is hinged solely on diverse representation. However, this does not guarantee that everyone will feel important and included.  For the team to feel a sense of belonging, they must believe the organization cares about them. You can achieve this by encouraging others to value what each person can bring to the table by caring for one another, advocating for everyone’s voice to...