How would we paint the picture that describes good leadership? Based on many leadership discussions, the canvas would be filled with images of character, service, compassion, vision, and more.

These qualities fall into various categories located throughout scripture. However, as we continue the journey to good leadership, we want to examine a few key areas to help us in our desire to lead God’s people.

The image of character is a wonderful place to begin. When we think about character and character development, we find a host of ideas that blend a number of concepts together into the image of godliness.

Character is a choice made by each individual. John Maxwell wrote, “Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.” Another thought expressed by Wayne Dyer is, “Our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made.” Therefore, when we blend all the choices of our life, we find a picture of character.

Maybe this explains why Joshua urged Israel to make the choice he made for his family, one of “serving the Lord.” Perhaps, it is the choice we should make also.

“Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down.” David McNally

Several definitions could be given for commitment, but this one has merit.

Occasionally, life is going to knock us down. We may get knocked down a few more times than we think is our share.

However, are we committed enough to the cause to keep getting up no matter how many times we get knocked down?

I also see powerful thought in the idea of commitment being the enemy of resistance. When we are committed to the cause, we will oppose resistance, of both ourselves or others.

When we are committed, we are motivated.

When we are committed, we have dedication.

When we are committed, we keep our focus.

When we are committed, we will stop at nothing.

Nothing is more deserving of our commitment than the cause of Jesus. His life, as an example, and His death, as a sacrifice for sin, is worthy of our motivation, dedication, focus, and determination to press on…whatever it takes.

Kerux is the Greek word found in the New Testament translated as “preacher.”

Considering the influence of all Christians as leaders, the preacher would certainly fit.

There is something interesting about the origin of the kerux and the application to our leadership today.

The word was originally associated with a public proclaimer sent by the king. They  authoritatively declared the king’s law. The beauty of the kerux is found in the primary task of “preserving the integrity of the message.”

Of course the task of one who publicly proclaims the word of our spiritual King carries a great responsibility.

We should pray for all who choose to stand before God’s people each week to consider the serious nature of this responsibility. This position must not be used to promote personal agendas or ride the proverbial hobby horse. Instead, use it to preserve the integrity of the message.

There is a reason Paul was determined to know nothing among the church at Corinth other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

If we are going to change the world, we must first point people to Jesus. Think Souls!

Few Bible leaders top the success of Josiah. He was young when he ascended to the throne. His leadership was extremely beneficial to the nation of Judah.

What was it about Josiah that made his leadership stand out?

Josiah did right in the sight of the Lord. Josiah brought powerful application to his leadership. He removed idolatry and made people enter into a covenant with the Lord. Throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following God.

Josiah walked in the ways of his father David. This stood as a contrast to the leaders of Israel. He was not involved in David’s indiscretion, but David’s desire to be obedient to God. He did not turn to the right or left.

Josiah began to seek God. Josiah was active in learning and following God. When the book of the Law was found and read, his reaction was one of humility and inquiry. He desired to know how to observe God’s will.

The reign of Josiah is a record to help spiritual leaders learn a very simple formula with life long application to serving as God would have us serve.

In the arena of communication, when writing a speech, sermon, article, or other medium, one of the critical components is the transition.

Transitions are sentences (written or spoken) that build a bridge between the various sections of our communication. These bridges make it easier for people to follow what we try to express.

There is more we could discuss regarding transitions, but our purpose is to think about the connection with spiritual leadership.

Our role as leaders is about transitions. We build bridges in three areas.

One, we build bridges in relationships. Unless we are able to establish and maintain quality relationships, our transition into spiritual matters will not exist.

Two, we build bridges for future leaders. As long as we exist on this earth, there will be a need for leadership. We must make this transition smooth.

Three, we build bridges to eternity. Ultimately, the task before us is to help make the transition from the physical realm to the spiritual.

Are we building bridges with the right purpose and in the right direction?

Studying Greek words in the New Testament can be an interesting adventure. A prior study   through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 was no exception.

In the early part of the lesson, Jesus speaks about the powerful nature of our influence, identifying His disciples as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

By using these two analogies, Jesus indicates the difference we should make in the world where we live.

Jesus uses an interesting term when He says; “if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything…”

The word used by Jesus was not the usual Greek word translated good. This word involves health, specifically good health.

When used in the context of the analogy and leadership influence, we find a powerful idea.

As leaders in the kingdom of God, our influence should be that which contributes to the spiritual health and well-being of others.

When heaven is the ultimate destiny, our leadership must be good for others to reach the destination.

“You need to aim beyond what you are capable of. You must develop a complete disregard for where your abilities end. Try to do things that you’re incapable of… If you think you’re incapable of running a company, make that your aim… Make your vision of where you want to be a reality. Nothing is impossible.” Paul Arden

Today’s thought is incredible. How sad to think that most people tend to live up to others’ expectations of themselves. Instead, regardless of what someone else might think, we need to aim high. When we grasp the concept presented by Paul in Ephesians 3:20, maybe, just maybe, we can develop a greater vision of what we can accomplish.

When leaders develop a proper vision, one that sees our God correctly and sees ourselves correctly, we are taking the right steps to fulfill something beyond our capabilities.

Instead of allowing fear to control or dictate the decisions that ultimately limit our abilities, we need to rethink what we want to accomplish.

Passionate leadership fuels the future of growth and achievement and when it does, impossibilities vanish.

While examining a few leadership websites, an interesting statement was found, “The Seven Most Important Words In Leadership.”

The idea is part of Terry Starbucker’s e-book Leadership From A Glass Half-Full: The 5 Lessons You Need To Learn Before You Jump Into The Pool.

The phrase is simply this, “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

The sad reality is we do not like the appearance of not knowing the answer. After all, we are the leader, right? Leaders are supposed to know all the answers.

Worse still is the attempt of too many of us who try to bluff our way through areas we know nothing anything about. Somehow we convince ourselves we can smooth talk our way through the discussion. Wrong!

The transparency of acknowledging when we do not know something and the willingness to find the answer is critical to great leadership.

First, others already know we do not have all the information, plus they know when we are bluffing. Second, greater credibility and trust is established when we are honest with others.

Learn these seven words and live by them.

David’s leadership exemplifies a number of great qualities. We should appreciate how God recorded the good in David and his character flaws. David will forever be remembered for his indiscretion with Bathsheba, adultery coupled with murder.

We do not want to make light of, nor ignore what is recorded about David. We should also remember he was a man after God’s own heart.

We could spend weeks with various articles, but we simply want to examine one area of David’s leadership: his respect for God’s will.

Even though David could have taken Saul’s life, and perhaps rightfully so, he respected God’s appointment of Saul as king of Israel.

Even though David was paying for the consequences of his sin, he understood and respected God’s answer in loss of his son.

Even though David was prepared to build a temple to honor God, he respected God’s decision that the temple be built by Solomon.

David was a man of great faith and one of the Bible’s great leaders. One of the reasons his leadership was great is because he respected God’s will.

The power of uniformity is based on developing the consistency, invariability, stability, and regularity that characterizes leadership.

These four words are the defining qualities of uniformity.

Our leadership must demonstrate the consistency of a life lived according to the message believed and proclaimed. Hypocrisy destroys leadership more quickly than anything else.

The invariability of leading without fail and without exception is critical to the success of strong leadership. No matter what the cost, invariably, leaders will show up.

Of all the qualities that describe uniformity, followers need leaders with stability. There is something significant about having a rock solid foundation. Stability provides followers with security.

Regularity demonstrates a leadership that is fixed, unchanging, and unvarying. There is power when leaders provide regularity. When others can count on their leader, they will follow…anywhere.

Uniformity is key to leading as God would have us lead today. While there may be challenges to developing and fulfilling these qualities, when we do so, our leadership grows stronger and lasts longer.