To be brave is connected to showing courage. We live in a time that holds to a misconception about bravery. Bravery is not about a quality one develops or possesses. To be brave is an action taken at the moment it is needed.

Try to think of someone who considered themselves to have developed a quality of bravery. Rather, in those moments when the need existed to be brave, they demonstrated this characteristic.

Most who claim to be brave fail to demonstrate what is needed when the moment arises. Sadly, it seems to be easier for people to move on rather than act bravely. The church needs leaders who recognize the need of this moment and act with bravery.

When we look at the example of Jesus, we see the humble submission of the Son of God who laid down His life for the world. There has never been a greater act of bravery in history.

Today’s leadership is also about humble submission to the will of the Father and a willingness to give oneself in service to the kingdom.

We need to act bravely…now!

A blueprint provides the exact details for the construction of any structure. The greater the detail, the better the opportunity for a permanent structure. The same is true in leaders.

Last week we talked about the necessity of the right foundation. Today, we focus on the need to follow the blueprint.

This may not sound like much of a point, but think about the situation for a minute.

If someone plans to serve as a leader, they must first be a good follower. Jesus exemplified this principle, as did the apostles, and many others today.

If we are unable to follow the details of the blueprint, then how can we measure the success of our leadership?

Jesus called people to follow Him before He sent them into the world to lead others to Him.

When someone decides they know a “better” way than to follow the plan of our Lord, problems are on the horizon.

The better we follow the blueprint our Lord has provided for our leadership, the greater our success will be in the kingdom. Take the time to listen, learn and lead.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike

There is some powerful implication behind this thought for leadership.

We live in such a self-centered world. Our efforts and concerns tend to be primarily structured in a “what’s-in-it-for-me” mentality.

The selfish mindset is so subtly developed and so difficult to overcome. Reading the first line of this thought should motivate us to at least address the struggles of self. What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. Wow!

Think about the significance of this thought as it would relate to spiritual leadership. Our leadership will fail miserably and our legacy will be void of meaning unless we learn the last half of this thought.

One simple application, yet it summarizes the need for great leadership. All we do should be done for others and the world. This is what truly lasts. Think Souls!

Does this sound familiar? It should, but how does this connect to leadership?

We need to know our strengths and weaknesses. A fairly common thought in leadership is connected to these two areas. Leaders identify with the need to spend 80% of our time on our strengths and 20% on our weaknesses.

Wait! Should this not be the opposite? We need to understand that when we spend the majority of our time on our weaknesses, they may get stronger, but our strengths get weaker because we have not kept them sharp.

The basic idea is to spend the majority of our time continually working on our strengths, keeping them strong and growing. Then, find others who are strong in the areas we are weak and use their strengths to fill the gaps.

The challenge we face as leaders is learning to determine our strengths and weaknesses. We can take aptitude tests. We can ask others close to us. We can learn through trial and error.

However, we make the determination. Know yourself, work on the appropriate areas, and build a team to help the rest.

In thinking about different leaders found in Scripture, Barnabas stands out.

One of the reasons Barnabas was a great Bible leader is because of his example in generosity. The scripture indicates he sold some property and gave it to the apostles to help the needs of the early church.

However, his generosity is not what we want to notice about this great Bible leader.

Barnabas was the name given to Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth. By examining two specific incidents, we see why Joseph would have received this name, Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement.

First, after Paul’s conversion to Christianity, people were hesitant to believe the change, until Barnabas stood up and spoke for Paul.

Second, when Paul did not want to take John Mark on the next missionary journey, Barnabas was willing to give John Mark another chance.

In our leadership, we need to be like Barnabas. We need to be willing to stand up and speak for those who have changed their lives, and whenever possible, we need to give people another chance.

What an encouragement! What a need in leadership! Think Souls.

Timing is everything. How many times have we heard this statement or one similar? Yet, it is true on a number of levels.

When it comes to addressing a delicate situation, timing is everything.

When we are faced with making life changing decisions, timing is everything.

When we wait for answers to test results, timing is everything.

When confronting a family member, fellow worker or employee, timing is everything.

God said; “there is an appointed time for everything, and there is a time for every event under heaven.” When we read through the list provided in Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 we learn quickly how true it is that timing is everything.

The next time a delicate situation arises, we need to make a serious decision, we await test results, or we consider how to confront someone else, remember – timing is everything.

If we can step back and think for a moment and ask ourselves, “Is this the right time to continue in this direction?” then maybe we can handle whatever life throws our way at the right time.

A blueprint provides the specific dimensions for constructing everything from a tool shed to a mega complex or high rise.

The purpose of a blueprint is to provide every detail to make certain the structure lasts.

What kind of blueprint would we use as leaders to ensure our leadership is long lasting? The answer is simply the Bible. From this incredible book we find several areas we will consider over the next few weeks to construct biblical leadership.

All blueprints begin with the foundation. Only when we build on the right foundation will our leadership carry a lasting influence.

Paul clearly points out that no human has the power to lay the kind of foundation needed for lasting leadership. Only in Jesus do we find a foundation upon which we can build the kind of leadership that will endure (1 Corinthians 3:11).

From His example we learn the nature, qualities, and character of the leadership God desires and designed for us today.

This example is one we must follow and we will look at over the weeks ahead.

“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” Alfred Einstein

Similar ideas have been used by others regarding this thought. From a leadership perspective, look at both phrases and examine the breakdown of this thought and how it applies today.

First, not everything that counts can be counted. Far too often, leadership deals with the numbers game, the bottom-line mentality. We realize what can measured is important, but the value of influence, cultivating spiritual character development, or meditative prayer for a greater peace of mind cannot be measured. The significance of such activities can be life changing.

Second, not everything that can be counted counts. We may have multiplied thousands of dollars sitting in a number of investments, but what is it really worth? We may have hundreds of people sitting on the pew, but are they maturing spiritually and actively involved? We may spend countless hours reading the Bible, but do we make proper application?

Our leadership may not always be measured, but it should count for something.

Working in a number of different countries can be extremely challenging, especially when it comes to communication. Without a good translator it is difficult to know if the true intent of the message is understood both ways.

This idea connects to the direction of leadership and how our leadership is being translated into the lives of others. Even when we speak the same language, there can be confusion when translating our leadership.

As the world becomes a smaller place, the confusion becomes more complex.

Are there times when it seems like our message is a foreign language to those we communicate with in our work?

Is it possible that the intent of the message is not clearly understood because of the way our leadership is translated?

Do we take the time to ensure our leadership translates the proper goals in the proper channels to the proper people?

We could go on, but we should get the idea. As we lead, let us make sure we translate the message and the intent in ways to help others reach the goal.

Andrew is one of the least mentioned apostles in the New Testament. Most references to him are connected to the listings of the apostles in the gospel accounts. To our knowledge, few “outside” writings ever mention Andrew.

So what is about Andrew that makes him a great leader in the Bible?

Andrew was the one to lead his brother, Peter, to Jesus. Andrew was first introduced to Jesus and, recognizing Him as the Messiah, he then went and found his brother and testified, “we have found the Messiah.”

We are aware of the powerful affect Peter had on the day of Pentecost and then in preaching to Cornelius. He was given the keys to the kingdom and he used them powerfully.

One of the lessons we need to know about leadership involves leading others to Jesus and allowing Him to work through those vessels to accomplish His purpose.

Who knows but the very individual we lead to Jesus is the one who will lead thousands to the Savior.

Following the example of Andrew will strengthen the depth of our leadership.