Alfred Einstein said, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”

Far too often, leadership deals with the bottom-line mentality. What we measure is important, but the value of influence, cultivating character development, or meditative prayer cannot be measured. Yet, they are life changing.

We may have multiplied thousands of dollars invested, but what is it really worth? We may have many people sitting in the pews, but are they spiritually mature? We may spend hours reading the Bible, but do we apply it properly?

Our leadership may not always be measured, but it should count for something.

Jesus said we are the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” This indicates the difference we make in the world.

Then Jesus said something interesting, “If the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything…”

Good involves health, specifically good health.

When used in the context of leadership influence, we find a powerful idea.

As leaders, our influence should contribute to the spiritual health and well-being of others.

When heaven is the destiny, our leadership must be good for others to reach the destination.

Transitions are sentences that build bridges between two parts of communication. These bridges make it easier for people to follow what we’ve said and the direction ahead.

As leaders, the concept of transitions is critical.

We build a bridge in relationships. Establishing and maintaining quality relationships requires effective communication.

We build a bridge for future leaders. Leaders are always needed. We make this transition smooth through mentoring.

We build a bridge to eternity. The task before us is to transition from the physical to the spiritual realm by teaching and example.

Are we building bridges with the right purpose and in the right direction?

What is our objective? What are we trying to achieve? Do we have a mission?

Sadly, as spiritual leaders, our mission often gets skewed because the mission becomes more about us than God. It becomes more about what we want to achieve, rather than what God wants us to achieve.

Leaders have a responsibility to know and believe in God’s mission.

We must be honest enough to examine ourselves closely and ask hard questions about whose mission we are fulfilling.

Let us arise and lead God’s people in unity, and let us work together to fulfill God’s mission.

Life has a way of knocking us down at times, maybe a few more times than our share. When we are committed we keep getting up.

David McNally said, “Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down.”

When we are committed to a cause, we oppose resistance. We are motivated, dedicated, focused, and we stop at nothing.

Nothing is more deserving of our commitment than the cause of Jesus. His life, death, and resurrection are worthy of our efforts to press on and do whatever it takes.

What is our rule of life? The idea involves our purpose for life.

Why do we pursue the course in life we pursue?
What do we want to achieve and get out of life?
What implications would exist with having a written purpose for life?

Knowing and reminding ourselves of our purpose for life keeps us focused on the impact of our words and actions.

Having a rule of life gives us meaning and hope for what the future holds.

It changes the way we see God, develop family, and influence others.

Do we ever consider the far reaching nature of our influence on a global level?

The influence of one person can move a nation, lead an army, direct a revolution, carve out a place in history, or change the life of one person.

Too often we underestimate what can be done with our influence on one person.

Instead of thinking how we can start a worldwide revolution, think about changing the life of one person. Who knows how God might work through the one we influence to make a global difference.

Perhaps we need to start with opening the door of opportunity.

Today, our country honors Martin Luther King Jr. On August 28, 1963, he spoke to approximately 250,000 people and declared, “I have a dream.”

While much could be said about that day and the incredible speech given, several questions come to mind related to our leadership.

Do we have a dream?
Is our leadership pursuing that dream?
Have we shared our dream with others?
Have we invited others to help achieve our dream?

Without a dream, it becomes challenging to develop vision, set goals, make plans, and achieve success. Are we dreaming yet?

How many times in the political arena do we hear the thought expressed of someone being extreme left or extreme right?

Being extreme, however, is not limited to the political arena. We quite often find the beast of extremism within the church.

Our responsibility is to learn the difference between biblical doctrine and personal opinion.

Spiritual leaders must find the proper balance to maintain the unity needed within the Lord’s church.

In a time where people try to prevent the world from influencing the church, let us not become so extreme that our actions portray what we are trying to prevent.

In our lifetime, the church has experienced several changes. Some changes have been good and some destructive. While changes occur today, it is safe to say, more changes will come.

Paul Harvey said, “In times like these it is good to remember that there have always been times like these.”

Solomon originally expressed it this way, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Leaders will always face challenges. It may be a different generation, culture, gender, age, or time of day, but challenges will come.

Let us seek God’s counsel and listen to His word. Here we will find the true answers to solve these challenges.