Bob Turner

Familiarity

Developing a familiarity between leaders and followers takes time and a process that involves several key factors.

A mutual respect for the life experiences of each other builds a stronger relationship of trust in the common goals and expectations.

Another critical component to familiarity is to share life experiences with each other. The biblical teaching of “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice” must be applied.

Create an open door policy that contributes to the approachability of everyone involved. Achieving this task is not easy, but the results bring lasting leadership.

How we address familiarity can hinder or strengthen our leadership.

Ability and Character

John Wooden is famous for many reasons, one of which is his leadership thoughts. He once said, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

In the recent Olympics, we witnessed people with great ability, amazing talent.

However, many who possess great ability can demonstrate little character. Without character, regardless of the ability, it is impossible to have lasting leadership.

Perhaps the major difference is the idea of being at the top, because spiritual leadership is about the humility to be at the bottom and to remain humble enough to stay there.

This is where leadership character is demonstrated best.

Light

Light is defined as “a source of illumination.” Light, however, is so much more when we consider what it actually does and what it symbolizes for spiritual leaders.

Jesus claimed to be the “light of the world.” He also said His disciples were the “light of the world, a city set on a hill,” and followed this by saying, “Let your light shine.”

Leaders need to illuminate a vision that is built on faith and trust in God.

Our light should shine forth the example of Jesus as revealed throughout the Gospels. When this happens, our good works are seen in such a way that others will glorify God.

Reason or Excuse

Is there a difference between a reason and an excuse?

When we examine how we live life (words we use, attitude we display, places we visit, how we treat our family, and our attendance to worship) would we have a reason or excuse for the choices we make?

When we think about our allegiances to friends and family, would we give a reason or excuse for placing those allegiances above our loyalty and faithfulness to God?

More questions could be asked.

Our time, life, and allegiances all need greater consideration as we must one day give an account for how we prioritize them. Let us lead with the same consideration.

Decision-Making

Each day is filled with decision-making. Sometimes decisions are quick and easy to make. Other times they are difficult and require a great deal more thought.

We would understand that many decisions have little consequence: what to eat for breakfast, what clothes to wear, etc.

Other decisions, however, carry great consequence: the choice of a spouse, where we live, our occupation, raising children, etc.

There is one decision that is extremely consequential and that is the decision to follow Christ. This one decision should be the foundation for all decisions.

Determine how your decisions will influence others and if it will lead them to Christ.

Wisdom and Courage

Wisdom and courage are both critical to the development of leaders.

Mark Amend increased our understanding when he said, “Wisdom is learning to let go when you want to hang on. Courage is learning to hang on when you want to let go.”

How many projects have we held on to that were destructive, when wisdom said we should have let go long before?

How many times have we let go when the courage to hang on one more day or week would have delivered success?

We need to develop a posture of learning. Wisdom and courage provide great benefit when we learn from them.

Lead Like Jesus

Jesus taught, encouraged, admonished, and equipped twelve men in preparation for the work He commissioned them to fulfill.

Teach: Teaching often falls short when it comes to application. Information is good, but how to use that information is better.

Encourage: The power behind encouragement motivates people to work harder than before. When criticism is tempered with encouragement, people change.

Admonish: Warning, advising, or even reprimanding others is needed to prevent harm. The attitude behind admonition determines the reception.

Equip: Providing the necessary tools to fulfill a given task and responsibility leads to the success of followers, especially as they are prepared to lead.

Suffering Leaders

At the hands of Rome, Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, but rather a stumbling block and foolishness. However, to those who are saved, it is the power of God.

The purpose of His suffering makes this an act of great leadership.

As leaders today, the higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make. What leaders willingly suffer becomes a mark of great leadership today also.

Preparation

The disciples constantly questioned Jesus about matters of the kingdom.

Jesus answered their inquisitions, but He directed their attention to deeper, more spiritual matters.

One example involved the concern of the disciples over the destruction of the temple, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age.

While Jesus addressed their concerns with signs prior to this event, He took them further into the details surrounding the event surrounding the judgment day.

Something greater than the destruction of the temple was coming and He taught them to prepare themselves and others for that day.

Our leadership is the same, preparing others for that day.

Compassion

One of the qualities Jesus demonstrated, instrumental in drawing others to Him, was compassion.

Several times throughout the gospels, the compassion of Jesus is identified. He was compassionate to those who were in need both physically and spiritually.

His compassion was more than a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others. It moved Him to act in ways that met the need.

Leaders who follow the example of Jesus, realize the value of a compassionate approach. An awareness of the pressing needs in the lives of others is an important component, but compassionate leaders seek ways to get involved to help meet the need.