Growing up in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, basketball practices were filled with efforts by players who coveted a starting position on the team.

We learned leadership based on teamwork. Those days laid a foundation for understanding spiritual leadership where the same is true. It is leadership based on teamwork.

Leadership is often viewed as a lonely position. This is not true for spiritual leaders.

We are a team. We must work together as a team. If we are going to change the world, we need Christ and we need each other!

We should all strive to get involved on this team.

What would it be like to trade places with someone else? After all, others seem to have it so much better than we do.

The Psalmist questioned a similar thought when considering the prosperity of the wicked.

If our view of leadership is limited to what we can accumulate or accomplish in this life, we have misunderstood the true nature of God’s promise.

If our view of leadership is confined to what others think or say about us, we have lost sight of the value of this God given role.

It is time to lay aside the temptations of the world and recognize the urgency of the spiritual need of all. Think Souls!

Integrity is more than honesty. It involves strong moral principles, a moral uprightness.

There is an incorruptible nature to a spiritual leader who demonstrates integrity. They take responsibility for who they are and what they do.

Integrity displays an undivided and unshakeable character of Biblical soundness. This character exudes humility and follows a path of consistency.

Integrity is best taught to children at a young age. Leadership must exemplify it.

Integrity stands for, speaks, and lives truth and will not change, even if it stands alone.

Christians are what we are “in the dark.” Think about it!

One critical challenge for leaders exists in the arena of delegating.

Robert Half said, “Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.” The effectiveness of delegating occurs when we lead by example.

Jesus demonstrated this thought with the apostles.
The apostles followed by setting their own example.
Christians are instructed to do the same.

No one is above any task.
No one is too good for the lowest of jobs.
No one is so powerful they are beyond the need for help.

Spiritual leaders must delegate needed work. Delegating this work is never easy, but when we set the right example, enlisting others to help falls into place.

Not long ago, I noticed someone with both arms entirely covered in tattoos. Additionally, they had large earrings and a buzz cut hairstyle.

As my eye was drawn to their appearance, I could not help but think, “What on earth were they thinking? One day they will regret those decisions.”

Will they? Maybe, maybe not.

This person may have been a criminal. They could also have been a Christian. I will never know because I made a judgment based on their appearance.

When we judge someone before we get to know them, we are often hindered in reaching out to them.

As leaders, we must learn to use righteous judgment.

We all have various ways to remind us of scheduled activities, from sticky notes to Google calendar.

Spiritually, there are events we should not miss.

Where does our gathering with Christians rank in our priorities?
Where does time in prayer and study rank?
Where do family devotionals fit?

These events are matters of choice, and we either make them a priority or place other events before them.

Just a reminder, there is an event scheduled we will attend, a Lord appointed a day.

Since everyone will be there, we should make preparing for it a priority. As Christians, we should eagerly anticipate it. This is a day we do not want to miss!

Elite must mean something special, because it is defined as the best in a particular area or field. Generally, eliteness is associated with power, wealth, or ability.

Spiritual leadership carries an elite characteristic. The idea is not about self-centered power, wealth, or ability. It is about Who makes us elite.

Through the sacrifice of Christ, God’s grace was abundantly provided to us. The result grants God’s elite access to His throne.

Christians are elite. Knowing the outcome of Christ’s work on the cross, we have a responsibility to lead others to share in the access we have with God. Think Souls!

How we live, not how long, determines the nature of our legacy. Whatever we want to leave behind we must live now.

Abraham Lincoln said, “And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”

How do we want to be remembered when we are gone?

Will we leave behind a physical footprint of life, or spiritual?

Legacy is about living today what we want to be remembered for tomorrow.

Our leadership involves how we live as leaders during our years on earth. It is a thought worth considering.

The history of Independence Day is on the minds of most Americans today. July 4, 1776 brought freedom from the law and rule of England.

The events formulating the history of this nation, like any other, have played a key role in developing the present character of this country.

As Christians, we recognize our freedom from the slavery to sin through Jesus Christ. The price paid bought freedom not for one nation, but for all nations on the earth.

Our role as spiritual leaders is to help others understand and experience this freedom.

Time is too precious to delay. Think Souls.

Mountain tops represent the best of life. Our faith is strong and confident. We are positive and easily make decisions.

Valleys bring shadows of darkness. We question our faith, doubt creeps in, attitudes are altered, and we struggle with decisions.

Leaders experience both. Reaching the top and staying there is the path leaders desire to walk.

We are not alone.

The wisdom gained by others is an invaluable gift.

Tomorrow presents new opportunities.

Strength comes from knowing, not emotions.

God still sits on His throne.

We need to focus on the positive, give the negative to God, work on what can be changed, find balance in family, and seek good counsel.