Vision! Among all the qualities needed to build strong leaders for the future, vision is one of the most important. Vision, however, is not about what one can physically see with the naked eye.

Vision is about seeing what cannot be seen or, perhaps more appropriately, seeing Him who is unseen. This is the idea expressed about Moses in Hebrews 11:23-27.

Vision develops the type of conviction that knows what is worth dying for, as with Caleb. The same was true of the apostles.

Vision gives us strength to endure the trials of life. While Philippians 4:13 contextually deals with contentment, the point is our strength comes from Christ.

Vision comes before victory. God told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look in every direction. All he could see God would give him, Gen. 13:14-15. To miss looking in any direction was to miss possessing what God promised.

If we desire to improve our vision, we need to ask ourselves: 1) Do we see ourselves correctly? and 2) Do we see our God correctly? When we answer these questions affirmatively, we are developing the kind of vision needed for strong leadership.

“It is easy to follow, but it is uninteresting to do easy things. We find out about ourselves only when we take risks, when we challenge and question.” Magdalena Abakanowicz

Leadership means risks. Change never occurs quickly or easily. Introducing challenges or raising questions about the current development or structure increases the level of risk.

Regardless of the approach to personal or organizational growth, change is required in order to expand. The thought of remaining neutral, being comfortable with the status quo, or being afraid to address potential change leaves an organization stagnate and eventually deteriorating.

Time, knowledge, and experience are three elements that provide the basis for approaching any risk. Do we have the time to invest? Is our knowledge of the situation adequately researched? What level of experience exists to consider the resources needed?

Answering these questions allows us take a step in the direction of addressing “what is” and considering “what can be” in our leadership.

Our leadership should always focus on what we can do to grow and improve ourselves and the organization, no matter what risk is involved.

As leaders, how do we recognize the potential of an individual or the congregation as a whole?

There are basically three ways: actions, abilities, and attitudes.

Is it possible to take these three areas, grow in them, and reach our ultimate potential? Absolutely!!! How?

Do not limit God. Moses learned and Jonathan knew. Never think God “cannot” do something because we “will not.”

Start thinking BIG! God has the power to do far beyond all we ask or think. We need to stop thinking small. Imagine what God could do through us when we think BIG!

Remind others of the possibilities. A reminder of what can be done is often enough to move others into action. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves.

Develop a plan into smaller sections. How does someone eat an elephant? One bite at a time. The overall plan can be overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller pieces makes it workable.

Begin NOW! Procrastination and hesitation are killers to our potential. The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Potential is too important to wait.

At one time or another, we all feel a little less than our best. Perhaps we experience a poor night’s sleep, we may have a virus, or we are just having one of those days.

At times, struggling with some sort of virus depletes our energy levels and leaves us feeling achy and feverish. We do not feel well.

Normally, showing up to any event, especially work, when contagious risks infecting everyone. However, a statement by Jerry West is pertinent: “you can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”

We need to learn how to work through the times when we do not feel as good as other days.

Remember our purpose. Do not lose sight of why we are leading.

Put one foot in front of the other. At times, just getting started helps.

Focus on the goal. The result promises to be worth the effort.

Remain dedicated to finish. It is not how you start, but how you finish that makes a difference.

Leadership motivates us to show up everyday!

Design, according to Andrew Gibbons (2014, 49) is “a process of making decisions.” Smith and Ragan (Smith 1992, 4) add that design is “a systematic or intensive planning and ideation process prior to the development of something or the execution of some plan in order to solve a problem.”

At times, the appearance of “flying by the seat of the pants” rules the approach to leading. The nature of successful leadership, however, requires a dedicated effort to establish a systematic method for developing and executing a plan.

To design the direction of leading means a consideration of three essential qualities:

Vision: the ability to see what cannot be seen, or perhaps as spiritual leaders, seeing Him who cannot be seen.

Collaboration: the ability to work with others and the willingness to incorporate their ideas provides a strong development process.

Ingenuity: creativity goes a long way when investigating the design process involved in making decisions.

While more could be included in this list, these three qualities go far in understanding how to take leadership to the next level.

Advancing the development of strong leadership is a task that cannot wait until a future date.

While several components are needed to advance this cause, the foundation begins with character.

Two primary areas of character are critical: trust and respect. In order to build these areas into our character, consider the following suggestions.

1) 10-10-10 Principle – In her book by the same title, Suzy Welch explores three questions: Can I live with this decision 10 minutes from now? 10 months from now? 10 years from now? Realizing the consequences should motivate us to think about the impact of our decisions on our character.

2) Inventory Our Values – What has greater value: Character or money? Character or achievement? Character or popularity? Examine our actions over the past month. If there are inconsistencies, then work on them. Do not dismiss, excuse, deny, or rationalize them.

3) Challenge Hypocrisy – Nothing destroys character quicker than hypocrisy. On the job, at home, with our neighbors, in the community, and around other Christians, our character must reflect a consistent belief system.

These three areas are a few suggestions for building our character that establish trust and respect for stronger leadership.

“If men would consider not so much wherein they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling in the world.” Joseph Addison

The power of this thought affects everyone of us. Our culture seems to thrive on the right or opportunity to disagree and argue. The result leads to dissension, division, discouragement, and disorder.

Leadership requires a different focus. This does not mean we will agree with everyone. Nor does it mean that it is wrong to disagree with others. Also, we must understand there will be times when we are required to discuss these differences by approaching the other person.

Aside from the fact charity increases and less anger exists, we must remember that we will see more success by starting where we agree before moving into areas where we differ.

The difference made in leadership and the far-reaching influence of leaders is determined by the manner in which differences are handled.

In order to make the greatest impact, let us begin by focusing on where we agree.

These two words present an interesting contrast of thought. By definition, progress represents an onward or forward movement toward a specific destination, and progressive represents a gradual step by step development.

In recent years, however, the idea behind these words has taken on a new understanding, meaning, and application.

Progress is categorized as a more positive attribute associated with the growth and development of an organization.

Progressive tends to fall into an area that describes the image of a gradual – step by step – movement away from a conservative foundation to a more liberal approach.

Obviously, we are aware of numerous emotions attached to the direction associated with both words. Considering the original definition of these words, however, points to a significant development in relationship to our leadership.

When leaders advance with a gradual step by step approach in an effort to move toward a destination, the opportunities for long lasting success are more secured.

Quick movements tend to only satisfy short-term needs and rarely last.

Progress and progressive are two sides of the same coin that, when used appropriately, bring long-term results that make a difference.

Before a few weeks ago, these numbers did not represent much. However, 7.8 now has a profound meaning to everyone.

7.8 reminds us life is fragile.
7.8 reminds us there are needs greater than our own.
7.8 reminds us earthly treasure is temporary.
7.8 reminds us God is all powerful.
7.8 reminds us of the need for leadership.

How will leaders in Nepal respond? How will the leadership of the world respond? How will the leadership of the Lord’s church respond?

Tragedy often brings opportunity, opportunity met with physical provision. Will we be satisfied to send money, food, water, and clothing?

This tragedy should remind us of the opportunity to help people prepare for a far greater destruction, that is the destruction of the earth. It will be an event exceeding 7.8.

Sadly, there were no warnings when the earthquake hit Nepal. Thousands of lives were lost and thousands more injured.

Remember, meeting the physical need first often opens the door for spiritual opportunities. Spiritually, the opportunity is ours. God’s word warns us of a great day coming. All will stand before His judgment throne. Are we prepared and are we preparing others?

Technically, relevance is simply defined as “closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand.”

Considering the avenues by which relevance is applied extend far beyond the idea of a few defining words.

In the areas of education, one of the motivating factors that contributes to learning is the relevance of the material. When the objectives are clearly relevant, students are more driven to learn.

On a spiritual level, if the millennial generation is to be reached, we must show how the word of God is relevant. The message never changes, but how we present the relevance of the message does change.

Engaging others to follow our leadership hinges on the application of relevance.

Regardless of the area we address, leaders must be closely connected. The destination where we are leading others requires a vision and direction appropriate for the matter at hand. This is relevance!

The beauty of God’s word is the fact it was written with every generation in mind. The challenge is relevance.

Leading as God designed requires an understanding of how to make the message relevant.