The list of leaders throughout the Bible is extensive. Each leader selected would hold significance for a variety of reasons, depending on the individual.

One such leader in the Old Testament is Moses. An examination of his life indicates the grooming of a godly leader who represents wisdom, strength, and tenacity.

A key thought expressed by Moses as he neared the end of his life is found in the last sermon of Deuteronomy.

As Moses addressed the nation of Israel he presented them with a blessing and a curse, life and death. He urged them to choose life that they might live.

Amidst the challenges of leadership in this postmodern, excessively individualistic world, perhaps the simple approach to the choices offered by Moses can redirect our attention to the heart of the matter.

God extends the same offer now as He did through Moses: a blessing and a curse, life and death. The choice is made by each individual.

As leaders, our task is to appeal to choose wisely, choose life that they might live.

When leaders are instrumental in creating a movement, a group of people are involved in collective action to advance political, social, artistic, or religious ideas.

A movement exists when individual experience, or passion, takes on a life of its own within a diverse array of individuals and grouping in such a way that it sustains and reproduces itself as it works to bring about a common end.

The following characteristics provide a description.

First, movements are made up of individuals and independent groupings that come together to achieve a common goal.

Second, what holds these individuals and independent groupings together are personal, structural, and ideological ties.

Third, committed individuals at all levels use existing, significant social relationships to recruit others.

Fourth, members of a movement have had an identity-transforming experience that brings about a lifestyle change.

Fifth, overall unity in such a diverse collection of people requires a common ideology.

Sixth, opposition is part of the glue that holds this diverse collection together.

Consider how these thoughts connect to the movement that binds us together as Christians and how leaders can use this to change the world.

In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he mentions that we walk by faith and not by sight.

A definite article is present in the original language indicating that we walk by the faith. Paul is emphasizing the need for Christians to live a life guided by the word of God. His word provides us with direction, motivation, and a secure foundation upon which to stand.

Naturally, leaders have a responsibility to follow the same direction in leadership. When leadership is guided by God’s word, the results are significant.

There is confidence in knowing the direction is guided by God, Himself. The wisdom and knowledge of God is the basis for the direction in His word. Leaders cannot go wrong with His guiding hand.

God’s word provides the greatest purpose for character formation. Leaders begin with developing themselves, and then lead others to demonstrate Christ-like character.

Leaders know there is strength when grounded in the truth. Overcoming the obstacles of leadership requires strength, not personal strength, but spiritual strength that is only found in truth.

Let us always lead by the faith.

In comparison to theory or idea, when something is practical it involves the ability and opportunity to actually do it. The approach to something that is practical indicates it is suitable for a particular purpose.

Interestingly enough, the word practical is based in and comes from the word practice. Practice not only indicates an activity that is to be accomplished, it also involves a discipline of continuing to work on the activity to improve the quality of the product or result.

Application within leadership is also an area deserving attention.

Consider what leadership would look like and how it changes the involvement of those who follow when there is a practical approach to the programs implemented to reach goals.

Leaders are needed who think, act, and lead practically. Discipline, as demonstrated in the practice of activities, must follow.

Followers need to know how to practically apply this leadership.

Several spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.) point to the character of leadership that promotes a practical approach for developing godly leaders.

Leadership God’s way is one that invests in seeking the mind of Christ. The development of this thought is based in the words of Paul to the church at Philippi.

A number of key thoughts are expressed as they relate to the mind of Christ demonstrated through His coming to earth and going to the cross.

Paul begins with a Christlike motive: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.”

He identifies the foundational attitude: “But with humility of mind.”

The concluding activity is vital to the mind of Christ: “Regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

These three areas are key to understanding what Paul describes as the mind of Christ which should be emulated by all Christians.

The significance of understanding the mind of Christ must be coupled with the need to seek the mind of Christ.

Leadership God’s way is dedicated to understanding the mind of Christ, followed by seeking to model life after the example of Christ.

When these two areas meet, leadership provides a Christlike direction for others.

Leadership God’s way involves areas such as qualities, traits, virtues, and principles that are instrumental in guiding the character formation of each individual.

Over the next few days, we will examine a few of these areas as they define leadership God’s way.

The foundation for this type of leader is to know God and His will.

Scripture is filled with passages emphasizing the need to know God and His will, beginning in the Old Testament. God’s message through Hosea indicted His people who were destroyed for lack of knowledge.

In the New Testament Jesus said eternal life aligns with knowing God and the One who was sent by Him.

Paul also spoke of the significance of knowing God and His will by claiming his willingness to count everything as loss for the “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8).

Heritage, material possessions, academic achievement, and religious position were all worthless in view of this knowledge.

Leadership God’s way is driven by a passion to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, because that knowledge is the key to the whole of life now and eternally.

Once in a while, a thought stands with little need for comment. Such is the case with the following from Christian Larsen. “Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.”

We cannot discuss every are related to leadership. However, there is one thought that threads the entire thought: being strong enough to be the best we can in leading others with a positive focus toward the future.

Leadership will always have challenges and negative influences. When leaders follow the ideas presented by Larsen, the life, focus, and influence on others is powerful.

Grip, determination, and persistence are a few of the words associated with tenacity. On the heels of yesterday’s post about optimism and positivity, it seemed appropriate to consider the idea of tenacity in leadership. Don’t ask why.

Being able to grip something, or hold on to it firmly, is crucial for long term success in leadership.

The quality of being determined presents an attitude of strength to endure the distractions.

Without persistence leaders find themselves easily ready to give up and move on.

Tenacity, as defined in these three areas, demonstrates the ability of leaders to take a group of individuals who might not otherwise continue and motivate them to heights unknown.

The tenacity of leaders like Joshua and Caleb in the Old Testament, or men like the apostle Paul, encourages everyone who emulates them and the tenacious spirit they exemplify.

When leaders possess tenacity in approaching the establishment of goals and the development of plans to achieve those goals, confidence results for those who follow.

Leaders must hold on with the determination that no matter what happens they will be persistent.

In a skeptical and negative world, a ray of optimism often fails to shine on many situations.

However, optimism serves leaders in much greater ways than the skepticism and negativity so rampant in the influences of our daily life.

Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

Three words stand out as part of this statement: faith, hope, and confidence. Each word feeds on the other and they are interdependent in the relationship between them.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, according to Hebrews 11:1. Hope represents an earnest expectation. The confidence that exists in the arena of hope is fueled by the faith that drives the optimism needed to achieve incredible results.

Leaders need to stop and focus on the influences in their life and how, as a leader, they influence others. The result must direct attention towards the positivity needed to alter the paths of those who follow.

What can we do to further develop this optimistic attitude? Read more tomorrow…