How should help be defined? A quick look in the dictionary reveals a number of thoughts: “making it easier (for someone) to do something by offering one’s services or resources; improve (a situation or problem), be of benefit to by assisting, serving, and the list goes on.”

The challenge has never been the definition, but the application. There is a difference between helping and enabling. There is also a difference in how we perceive helping and the reality of our actions.

Remember the proverb defining the contrast in giving someone a fish to feed them for a day and teaching them how to fish and feed them for life. Which one is really helping?

Our leadership needs to be based on the same idea. When we strive to help someone, it should be considered beyond the temporary need of the moment, lest we find ourselves placing a bandaid on an open wound.

Let us lead with the conviction of helping others long term, perhaps eternally. Here is where the legacy of our leadership will be determined.

Leaders must be concerned for the common good of all people.

Biblically, God’s people have always been charged with caring for the poor, widows, and orphans. More than 2,000 verses in the Bible touch on this subject.

Somehow, we need to consider how we are going to carry out God’s justice / righteousness in caring for these needs.

James is explicit: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27).

We know the discussion regarding individual or congregational application. Let us consider, regardless of the position, we are doing a very poor job of fulfilling it!!!!

We often excuse ourselves by allowing other organizations to assume this responsibility, or we throw a few dollars their way.

This post is not an attempt to take anything away from the necessity of spiritual concern for all people, but when our efforts to help the poor, widows, and orphans are minimal, are we leading them to the Lord?

It is time for leaders to lead all, especially the most unlikely.

“Never make a promise you can’t keep.” Herb Tatum

The intent is not to discuss the possibilities that exist when it comes to making promises. We all realize there can be circumstances that prevent us from keeping a promise. However, this is not the point of this thought.

What is the point? We need to be careful and thoughtful before speaking. It is not about making a promise by swearing on the Bible, “a dead relative, or even those who are not feeling so good.” (If the last part does not make sense, then watch the 2002 movie, The Count of Monte Cristo)

Jesus noted several times the need for us to be careful about our words. Our “yes” needs to mean “yes” and our “no,” “no.” When we say we are going to do something, then do it.
Nothing is more frustrating than when someone says, “I’ll call you right back,” and then they never do. This is magnified even more when it extends into other areas.

Be a leader who is bound to their word. Never make a promise you can’t keep!

One of the greatest needs in our world and yet one of the greatest challenges involves love. Without understanding God’s love for us we face the obstacle of how to lead others with love.

We say this because God loves us for who we are and where we are, unconditionally. Unconditionally is what introduces the challenge.

As Christians who grow and nurture our relationship with God, we can easily lose sight of our past life and the expression of God’s love at the time when we were helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. In this condition, Paul tells us God demonstrates His love toward us.

Notice Paul did not say demonstrated, as in past tense. The word is present active showing that God demonstrates His love now and there is no assessment of it ever ending.

To lead others to the love of God, we must demonstrate the nature of God’s love to them.

We must show love even toward those who are not always the easiest to love. Is it easy? We cannot say it was for Christ, but He did so anyway. Therefore, can we do the same?

Through John’s writings we learn about the type of leadership he provided for the church. Several areas point to qualities of a great Bible leader and provide an example for us today.

Fellowship: John understood the value of fellowship among Christians and with the Lord. As he wrote to the church he emphasized the need for them to join this fellowship. He also urged them to walk in the light so they might have fellowship with God.

Vision: John knew the future of the church depended on men who were willing to work in the fields of harvest. He also knew it would take the church’s willingness to support such men.

Servant: John’s writings about Jesus as a servant were followed by his own example to the church. Reading through his letters and the Revelation show the qualities of servant leadership.

We need to encourage fellowship among God’s people and with the Lord. We should have and cast a vision for the future. Even though it goes without saying (and we have said it before) leaders are servants. These qualities make a great Bible leader.

Few ideas are more significant than the need for survival. For some, the need to find a meal for the day is a matter of survival. For some, getting through the day with their life is a matter of survival.

Leadership survival is an area of great need within the church of the twenty-first century.

Leaders struggle to survive the challenges to their leadership in matters of faith and practice.

Leaders need to survive the false accusations to their character by dissenters.

Leaders must develop survival skills against the forces of division among change agents.

Survival is a priority when it comes to leadership.

Sadly, the survival of leadership involves “being shot at from both sides.” Satan is crafty at using those within and without to attack leadership.

How many times have we heard the idea “it’s lonely at the top.” While spiritual leadership is not about being “at the top,” there are a number of areas that qualify for the loneliness involved as a leader in the Lord’s church.

Perhaps this is why so few are willing to accept the needed role within the church.

To lead the most unlikely, we have to see the unseen, or as they are often described, the invisible. What is meant by the invisible?

The invisible are people we cannot see. Why?

Perhaps it is the color of their skin, the type of clothes they wear, the home where they live (or lack thereof), the way they smell, of perhaps the lack of personal hygiene.

Maybe we do not want to see because we are afraid of the responsibility.

The possibility exists that we cannot see because of preconceived ideas. After all, they made their own choices, right? Why don’t they just get a job?

Have we ever pulled up to a stop sign / light and someone is standing with a sign asking for help? Do we look at them? Do we turn our head acting as if no one is there? Do judgmental thoughts run through our mind?

Before we start thinking yes, but…I am not talking about them or their motives. I am talking about you and me.

It is difficult to lead those who are invisible to us. Think about it!

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” John Wooden

Legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, is well know for his leadership ability as well as his written material on the subject.

The thought today strikes at the core of how we approach every area of our life, whether we apply it to the home, workplace, community, or church.

Too many times the approach is demonstrated by just enough effort to get by, not to do it right, and certainly not to excel.

When we consider the realm of spiritual leadership, or leadership in general, the results of only doing enough to get by are tragic. Souls are at stake! If we fail to do it right, there may never be enough time to do it over. Often times we only have one chance to make a good first impression, share the joy of the good news, or reach out to a fellow Christian who faces a “crossroad” in their relationship with God.

We need to recognize the need, but also the urgency, to do it right the first time.

Do we ever have times when we are, well, frankly…tired? Of course, we all do.

It may be a lack of sleep, stress at work, or family responsibilities. The list is long as to the causes of our fatigue. How can we deal with it and still be the leaders God desires of us?

Learn the signs. What are the signs of being tired? Frustration? Anger? Short in our response? Sleepy? Whatever the signs, recognize them.

Step back and think. If we know the signs, then when they occur, step back and think before speaking or acting.

Wait to make decisions. Neal Pollard explains how he learned to never make a decision on a blue day. When tired, our ability to make good decisions is hindered.

DO NOT QUIT! The temptation is to throw up our hands and walk out. Regardless of where our leadership responsibility lies, we must not give up.

God needs us to be leaders. We will have times when we are tired. Know the signs, step back and think, wait before making decisions, and please do not quit!

Several men are found throughout the New Testament that are named John. Each served a specific purpose.

However, one particular John draws our attention regarding leadership: the author of the gospel, three letters, and the Revelation. For the sake of space, we will identify him as the apostle John.

What do we learn from John’s leadership?

Love: John is commonly known as the apostle of love. His writings emphasize love, both a brotherly love and the self-sacrificing love of God. John’s love for the church is clearly noted in his letters.

Bold: John’s writings demonstrate the true nature of love as he speaks boldly about the honesty needed in view of one’s relationship with God and others. To claim we know God and not keep His commandments makes us a liar (1 Jn. 2:4). To say we love God and hate our brother makes us a liar (1 Jn. 4:20).

John’s approach is not unloving, but rather the opposite. He loved his brethren enough to help them see the need for a right relationship with God and one another.

Our leadership should exemplify the same.