Month: June 2020

saltCast028 Racism and Leadership

Among the racial tensions in our country, today’s saltCast with brother Thomas L. Thomas discusses how to raise an awareness of racism with leaders in the church and how to address the challenges that exist. This sixteen minutes of conversation on such a vital topic is worth your time.

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Worth the Investment…

When someone has “skin in the game,” their approach to every situation, project, plan, or goal changes.

Commitment increases when a leader is invested, because failing to accomplish the goal costs them something.

David understood this thought in 2 Samuel 24:24. He dared not offer a sacrifice to God that did not cost him something.

With skin in the game, we attract followers willing to do the same.

Leaders find it a little more difficult to just simply walk away from their charge when invested. 

Leadership costs us something, but what we must recognize is that with God, it is worth the investment.

Directional Leaders…

I love the thought expressed by Nido Qubein, “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” 

We tend to do the opposite and let our present circumstances dictate the direction and the results are limited.

However, when our present circumstances merely provide a starting point, the possibilities become unlimited.

There is something interesting about the “will to want to” when achieving the plans we have established. 

Our circumstances simply furnish a starting point to move forward in achieving the desired goals.

Trusting God’s Leadership…

One of the common themes throughout the Psalms encourages God’s people to seek refuge and trust in Him. Notice the thought expressed in Psalm 118, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”

When we trust in ourselves, we can easily become frustrated with our lack of abilities.

When we trust in others, we often become disillusioned to the role of humanity.

Overall, leaders must set the example of trust and dependence upon God. We must learn to trust with all our heart and seek refuge in Him, rather than ourselves or others.

Bob Turner – Vision: The Future of God’s People

God reveals His vision for Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 13. In this saltTalk, Bob explores several key points from this encounter between God and Abraham along with how it relates to our vision as God’s people in the twenty-first century.

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Leading with Vision and Goals…

Goals should be framed with specifics that can be measured. They should be achievable and relevant. We also need to set a time for achieving them.

For example: “Over the next 6 months I will read the Old Testament,” or “In the next 12 months I want to share the gospel with 24 new people.” These goals meet all the requirements.

Short and long-term goals are key components to developing plans for moving forward.

Leaders need long-term vision, but remember that short-term goals keep people motivated. Celebrating these short-term achievements helps keep everyone focused on the long-term vision.

Principles for Leadership…

Principles indicate a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. Think about it as a rule that governs our personal behavior.

As leaders, we need to ask the following.

1) Why have principles to govern behavior?

2) What governs our personal behavior?

3) Are they based on humanistic or biblical foundations?

4) Will others see consistency between our principles and behavior?

When leaders consider the answers to these questions regarding principles and behavior, the steps to harmonize them will develop leadership worth following.

saltCast027 Influence of Culture on Leadership

With the deterioration of culture, how does the church respond? How do leaders respond? Brother Thomas L. Thomas with the Roosevelt Freeport congregation in Long Island, NY, focuses on suggestions to help leaders take action toward this deterioration.

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Leaders and Prayer…

One of the great thoughts of scripture, and certainly needed in leadership, is the confidence of God answering prayers.

David writes, “On the day I called, you answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.”

How can we have the confidence today?

1) In keeping with God’s will (James 4:15; 1 John 5:14).
2) In faith (Matthew 21:22; James 1:5-8).
3) With persistence (Luke 18:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
4) Without anxiety and with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6)
5) By devotion (Colossians 4:2).

The list continues throughout the Bible and, of all people, leaders must demonstrate they are people of prayer.

A True Leader…

Douglas MacArthur once said, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”

His thought exemplifies four key words that powerfully contribute to leadership.

Confidence – We need confidence in God and our leadership.

Courage – Leaders must demonstrate courage when needed.

Compassion – This Christlike quality should characterize all leaders. 

Equality – Acting with consistency is a key to equality.

Integrity – Few areas are more important than walking with integrity.