Values keep us in check, but what are they?

They cannot be defined in the moment. To allow the situation to alter our values becomes descriptive of an individual “driven and tossed by the wind” (Jas. 1:6).

Leadership is built upon the foundation of our values. A good friend and colleague emphasizes the need to write them down, review them daily, and keep them timeless.

The benefit of this process comes through evaluating our actions with our values. We ensure the consistency of life as we align the conduct of our life with our values.

These values should not ever change, unless we personally change. When someone becomes a Christian, their worldly values should change to godly ones. Our thoughts, words, and actions must always be consistent with the individual God wants us to be.

Is it easy? No! However, the effort makes all the difference in our leadership influence.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most urgent question is what are you doing for others?” It is worth the time to contemplate this thought when establishing our values.

Leadership introduces a number of new dynamics and challenges. When we consider what’s on the line with the future as it relates to leadership, we begin to understand the urgency.

The fulfillment of God’s plan. Throughout the Old and New Testaments we find God’s provisions for His people. He always placed individuals in positions to lead.

The development of the church. God designed His church to function with leaders. Paul specifically addressed leadership and their function as he wrote the church at Ephesus (Ep. 4:11-13).

The influence needed in the world. People need someone to follow. Christians should provide the example of leading in the family, work place, and neighborhoods where we live.

The demands of the family. The breakdown of the family indicates Satan’s powerful attack to destroy the divine design. The role of husbands and wives and the responsibility of parents require a biblical focus.

These four areas only represent the tip of the iceberg when we consider what’s on the line with leadership. May God bless us with the courage and boldness to fulfill our responsibilities.

A little travel in another country increases the awareness of flexibility. Cultures vary from one country to the next. At the same time, each culture establishes their own practices and finds a rhythm that flows through the people who participate in the daily activities of life.

Most of us face the challenge of flexibility when we experience cultures other than our own. This is true for everyone no matter where they live.

If we dig deeply enough we begin to recognize that culture is not just the difference from one country to the next. Culture plays a factor between various organizations, one part of the country to another, and even from one generation to the next.

While leadership is complicated enough, add the cultural factors among the various backgrounds and relationships of people who make up the church, and complexity reaches a new level.

Therefore, leaders need to demonstrate a level of flexibility. We do not mean a compromise of truth, but a focus on the needs of those who follow. Flexibility becomes critical to the twists and turns that factor into leading a multi-cultural people.

“One tree can start a forest. One smile can begin a friendship. One hand can lift a soul. One word can frame the goal. One candle can wipe out darkness. One laugh can conquer gloom. One touch can show you care. One life can make the difference, be that one today.” Unknown

Leadership tends to be overplayed in the lives of most. We often think about leadership from the frontal point of view. We see a leader as the one out front, the one who gives instruction, orders, or makes the decisions.

At its core, leadership involves a type of influence that makes a difference in the lives of others. As we go through our day, can we be that one? Can we be the one who influences others with a smile, a hand, a word, or touch?

The answer is yes! This is what Jesus asks us to do as His disciples. Lead this way!

Both contain an element of subjectivity depending on the individual. On one hand, an older generation recalls the simplicity of life without technology, dirt roads, no cell-phones, and growing what was eaten.

When we add technology, a black-top/concrete way of life, cell-phones, and eliminate the garden, life can become a bit more complex.

On the other hand, a younger generation recognizes these advances as a means to simplify life and increase health and wealth.

Imagine the challenges of leading God’s people with both mindsets. One side sees these advances as changes that move us away from biblical teaching and tradition while the other side sees opportunity to advance the cause of Christ to more people.

Regardless of where we stand, we all desire a simpler life. The less complicated our lives the better. We should remember that both mindsets exist in the world and the church. We do well to consider the feelings of both and work to lead to a mutual understanding that motivates every part of the body in the cause of our Lord.

An ever present danger exists in our world today: extremism. Balance is a commodity difficult to find in any arena.

Our country is polarized politically between liberalism and conservatism. Party politics divides people second only to religion.

Within religious circles we find the same extremism. Sadly, within the churches of Christ we find the same influence of extremism from ultra-conservative to liberal. Division exists in areas of what we are willing to do versus what we are unwilling to do.

The challenge of leading within these extremes weighs on the mind of every individual who finds themselves in leadership. There are no easy or exhaustive answers.

How can leaders actively approach the task before them when these extremes exist?

The primary resolution involves the standard God gave. Extremes creep in when we get away from the guidelines provided in God’s word. When opinions, agendas, emotions, and preconceived ideas rule the direction of decisions, extremes result.

To avoid these challenges, let us lead with the divine standard that was intended to provide balance.

This question is found in a number of venues. The first time I personally saw it was on a church building sign. Then, it showed up in several articles and books. Most recently, I received it on a beautiful paper weight as a Father’s Day gift from my daughter.

The question demands we consider the depth of our faith and the strength of our vision.

The question requires us to reflect deep into our soul to determine where we are and where we want to go.

The question also issues in a concern for our answer because once we answer the question, we assume a responsibility to act upon it, a responsibility that requires us to get up and do something.

The question applies to every individual and congregation. It stretches across every generation, culture, and era.

Before you read the question, remember to give serious consideration to the question before answering.

The question is simply this: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

Whether leaders are born or made continues to occupy discussions on several levels. On one hand, some circles claim leaders are born with natural abilities, a giftedness of talent from God. Romans 12:8 seems to support this idea.

On the other hand, several claim that leaders are made. A number of authors indicate that leadership can be learned. The thought is based on the development of certain leadership skills over time.

The debate will continue and thoughts on both sides use solid evidence to support their claim. Perhaps the best approach arises from the concept of combining both born and made. Granted, the only way a leader comes into the world is through birth. However, children possess different abilities, all of which benefit various areas. At the same time, the development of certain abilities allows the individual to gain strength in leadership.

Regardless of which thought we might support, we all influence others and lead them at some level. It would serve us well to take the time needed to develop our abilities, great or small, in ways that provide the best leadership possible.

To understand the value of time falls short of anything adequate we can express. Everything we know is based on some measurement of time. The concept of an existence without time is incomprehensible.

Numerous illustrations attempt to help us wrap our minds around the concept, but no matter how hard we try, we cannot grasp it.

From the day we are born to the day we die, we only know time: The time we sleep, the time to get ready for work, the time we spend at work, family time, the time we set aside for worship, and the list goes on.

Based on someone’s career, they may place greater value on their time than others. One thing is for sure, once time passes, we cannot get it back. It cannot be regained or relived.

When we look at the direction of our leadership, the value of time takes a sharper focus. From the time we prepare ourselves to lead and influence others to the time we actually spend in building those relationships, every second contains great value.

Let us use our time wisely and make the most of the opportunity to lead with care.