On occasions, an opportunity occurs to gain valuable resources that assist our leadership development. While researching areas related to passionate leadership, I came across several articles, which ultimately led to a conversation with Steve Moore.

Steve Moore is the president of Missio Nexus, author of Who Is My Neighbor, and developer of the Passion Profile. The opportunity to visit with him was the highlight of my day.

Among several areas we discussed, I appreciated his insights into “Interest-based” and “Issue-Based” passions. He further identified, what he referred to as, “Incarnational” passion.

Incarnational passion involves a combination of interest-based passions (doing what we like to do) with “issue-based” passions (a cause we deeply care about).

Connected to these insights, Mr. Moore referred to four levels of passion: 1) inner desire to learn, 2) engage that desire in ways to get involved, 3) influence others to participate, and 4) sacrifice time, energy, and resources to learn, engage, and influence.

Passion cannot be hidden. When we become passionate about the cause of Christ, we will see growth and we will change the world.

A few years ago I was given a small level inscribed with the phrase “man of God.” The passage associated with this thought was Isaiah 40:31.

The combination of the text in Isaiah and the visual image of the level communicates two powerful messages.

One, Isaiah indicates the man of God is one who waits for the Lord. Such activity by the man of God provides new strength and an ability to endure tirelessly.

Two, the image of the level is a constant reminder that the man of God must remain balanced. Regardless of the challenges that tend to create imbalance, the man of God remains balanced/level.

These two ideas directly relate to the leadership God desires within the church. While waiting for the Lord, spiritual leaders are strengthened, prepared to face any difficulty, travel any distance, patiently endure any temptation, and overcome any obstacle.

These areas also relate to the necessity of remaining balanced. Spiritual leaders understand the responsibility of family and ministry, determined to find ways to balance both.

Find an image that helps you lead with strength and balance.

A recent blog post highlighted three fundamental issues that must be determined if we are to achieve anything worthwhile in life.

First, what do we really want? This question addresses our desires. Second, why do we want it? This question focuses on our motives. And third, how badly do we want it? The concluding fundamental issue speaks to our passion.

The author of this post, Tim Elmore, is the founder of Growing Leaders, an organization that specializes in leading the next generation.

Little, if anything, is accomplished without passion. The challenge before us involves how to determine our passion.

Another post by Steve Moore identifies the necessity of recognizing the difference between “interest-based passions and issue-based passions.”

Interest-based passions consist of fun activities, areas we have an interest in combined with a natural ability. We enjoy things “we are ‘good at’ and are good at things ‘we like.’”

Issue-based passions are connected to causes which provide fulfillment and “give us a sense of purpose.”

To learn more about passion, in relationship to leading, provides us with a greater foundation for the focus and direction of our leadership.

When we consider the time and energy required to lead, the question becomes, “Is leadership worth it?” After all, are we not be better off to just let someone else lead? Why not focus on ourselves and our family? Would life not be easier if all we had to do is come home and look out for ourselves?

We could ask numerous questions related to the demands of leadership and how it affects us on a personal level.

Without any doubt, life appears as though it might be easier, at least initially. However, will the long-term results be worth the decision?

From the family to the church, people will follow someone. The question to consider at this point is, “Who will they follow?”

If we relinquish the opportunity to lead, will we be content if our children follow someone or something else?

If brethren decide to follow the path of error, will we accept the consequences for our choice not to lead?

When we weigh it all out, we will probably find that leadership is worth whatever it takes!

A quick read through several vision and mission statements, as they connect to a variety of organizations, highlights the need to understand the difference between these two words.

It is not uncommon, in an effort to provide a vision and mission statement, to get the ideas reversed, and rightfully so, since they are interrelated.

The mission of an organization, specifically the church, describes “what we do.” The foundation is built on the purpose of our existence and the mission directs every decision for all related activities.

The vision of an organization, again, as it relates to the church, describes what we desire to see accomplished as a result of the mission. The vision takes into consideration the image of the future that connects our long-term desires with achievable goals.

We must communicate both the vision and mission if we hope to achieve any level of success.

Several resources are available to help with these ideas. John Kotter’s book, Leading Change, along with Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why, are two great places to start.

Defining success presents numerous challenges. The bottom line often determines the success or failure of a job, generally based on financial reports. An examination of the bottom line does not, however, always give an accurate assessment of success or failure.

When we gage success strictly “by the numbers” we often miss how God works to achieve His will. In the eyes of God success is found when husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church, when wives submit to their husbands as to the Lord, when children obey their parents, and when fathers train their children in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

Success will be found in the moral and ethical conduct of Christians in the community and workplace. God measures success not in the number of souls added to the church, but in the simplicity and power of the message preached to every creature. When Christians feed on the word of God, mature in the faith, and the pattern of leadership is followed, God sees success.

A beautiful picture of success is painted when we look through the eyes of our God.

People generally find what they look for, or so we are told.

We find truth in this thought because when we look for the worst, we find the worst. When we look for the best, we find the best. In most cases, the idea rests on a solid foundation.

Occasionally, even though we look for the worst, or best, we find the unexpected. We find the opposite.

This is especially true when leading people. When we look for the worst, or best, in people, that is often what we find. People tend to live up to our expectations. If we expect little, we get little. If we expect nothing, we get nothing. Of course, when we expect greatness, we get greatness.

Once in a while, however, when we thought we had everyone figured out, we are thrown the proverbial curve ball.

But, for a moment, consider the outcome if leaders led with intentionality and a purpose driven by the desire to look for only the best in people, and create the highest expectations.

We might just be surprised at the incredible results. Avoid negativity.