The list of leaders throughout the Bible is extensive. Each leader selected would hold significance for a variety of reasons, depending on the individual.

One such leader in the Old Testament is Moses. An examination of his life indicates the grooming of a godly leader who represents wisdom, strength and tenacity.

A key thought expressed by Moses as he neared the end of his life is found in the last sermon of Deuteronomy.

As Moses addressed the nation of Israel he presented them with a blessing and a curse, life and death. He urged them to choose life that they might live.

Amidst the challenges of leadership in this postmodern, excessively individualistic world, perhaps the simple approach to the choices offered by Moses can redirect our attention to the heart of the matter.

God extends the same offer now as He did through Moses: a blessing and a curse, life and death. The choice is made by each individual.

As leaders, our task is an appeal to choose wisely. Choose life that you might live.

Kenneson’s approach to goodness involves a fruit that is cultivated in the midst of a self-help culture. Three significant thoughts introduce the idea of goodness in this chapter.

One, the consistent testimony of God’s word is that God alone is unequivocally good. Jesus indicates this in his discussion with the rich young ruler in Mk. 10:18.

Two, human bondage to sin makes us incapable of goodness apart from God, we are nevertheless created with the capacity and potential for goodness, stemming from our being created in His image.

Three, if God alone is good and humans are capable of good only through Him, then knowing what counts for good can also only be determined under the guidance of God’s Spirit.

In the midst of the obstacles to goodness, several avenues of cultivating goodness are noteworthy.

Learning to name our sin, attending to God’s word and imitating the saints are three ways the cultivation of goodness encourages a greater other-directed approach to leadership.

When leaders are characterized by goodness; a self-awareness, an upward attention and an outward activity describe the cultivation of this fruit.

When leaders are instrumental in creating a movement, a group of people are involved in collective action to advance political, social, artistic, or religious ideas.

In a recent class on “Organic Organizations / Churches,” the following material was presented to describe a movement.

A movement exists when individual experience, or passion, takes on a life of its own within a diverse array of individuals and grouping in such a way that it sustains and reproduces itself as it works to bring about a common end.

Six characteristics are critical to success of a movement.

First, movements are made up of individuals and independent groupings that come together to achieve a common goal.

Second, what holds these individuals and independent groupings together are personal, structural and ideological ties.

Third, committed individuals at all levels use existing, significant social relationships to recruit others.

Fourth, members of a movement have had an identity-transforming experience that brings about a lifestyle change.

Fifth, overall unity in such a diverse collection of people requires a common ideology.

Sixth, opposition is part of the glue that holds this diverse collection together.

The idea of a self-differentiated leader may or may not be familiar. Edwin Friedman is one of several authors who has identified a number of concepts associated with a self-differentiated leader.

Three ideas represent a foundation for consideration in this post.

They know who they are: There is clarity about their life goals and possess a great self-awareness.

They are part of the system, but not controlled by it: They can be separate while remaining connected, manage their own reactivity to others and are less likely to become lost in the anxious emotional processes around them.

They are able to take stands at the risk of displeasing others: As a steward who balances presence and technique, they have the ability to deal with the super responsible and vulnerable.

Spiritual leaders certainly face situations where the maturity of leadership is needed. The process of developing into a self-differentiated leader is a journey to that maturity.

Within the church, a move to equipping leaders under this umbrella will provide a greater maturity in leadership for the future.

“With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” Wayne W. Dyer

We could spend the time in this post focused on the choices, and we would do well with such. However, this thought is more about the idea expressed as connected to specific choices and the results of those choices.

The first is an opportunity for growth. The idea of opportunities being a gift for growth is exciting. God certainly wants leaders to grow. He wants everyone to grow closer to Him, stronger in faith, and deeper in a demonstration of love. When leaders grow everyone benefits and God is glorified.

The second is an obstacle to prevent growth. The events of life can be tragically difficult and if we are not careful, these events can create such a negative impact that we become bitter and growth is hindered.

As the thought explains, the choice is ours. Leaders need to view the events in life as an opportunity to grow in relationship with God and others.

When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, his second letter mentions the fact that we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Co. 5:7).

A definite article is present in the original language indicating that we walk by the faith. Paul is emphasizing the need for Christians to live a life guided by the word of God. His word provides us with direction, motivation, and a secure foundation upon which to stand.

Naturally, leaders have a responsibility to follow the same direction in leadership. When leadership is guided by God’s word, the results are significant.

There is confidence in knowing the direction is guided by God, Himself. The wisdom and knowledge of God is the basis for the direction in His word. Leaders cannot go wrong with His guiding hand.

God’s word provides the greatest purpose for character formation. Leaders begin with developing themselves, and then lead others to demonstrate Christ-like character.

Leaders know there is strength when grounded in the truth. Overcoming the obstacles of leadership requires strength; not personal/physical strength, but spiritual strength that is only found in truth.

Let us always lead by the faith.

The fruit of the Spirit, kindness, applies to every area of the Christian life. However, instead of the normal way the posts have discussed the fruit of the Spirit, I want to share another key section of Kenneson’s book: application.

Kenneson approaches the application of demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in every chapter. The following is a sample of how he applies kindness.

He begins by asking a question in relationship to ones own life story: How important are others to that story? The direction of his application leads to the interdependence of relationships as Christians.

Reflecting on the relationships most cherished and admired, in what ways are they characterized by interdependence?

A Christian’s life is intricately woven into the lives of many other people. How different would our approach to kindness be if our livelihood was dependent on others and their livelihood dependent on us?

Listening and interacting with one another is crucial to demonstrating kindness. Imagine how different the world might look when Christians demonstrate kindness in a culture characterized by self-sufficiency.

In comparison to theory or idea, when something is practical it involves the actual doing. The approach to something that is practical indicates it is suitable for a particular purpose.

Interestingly enough, the word practical is based in and comes from the word practice. Practice not only indicates an activity that is to be accomplished, it also involves a discipline of continuing to work on the activity to improve the quality of the person, product or end result.

Application of this discipline within leadership is also an area deserving attention.

Consider what leadership would look like and how it changes the involvement of those who follow when there is a practical approach to the programs implemented to reach goals.

Leaders are needed who think, act, and lead practically. Discipline, as demonstrated in the practice of activities, will ground leaders in that which is practical.

Followers are needed who know how to practically get behind this leadership.

Several spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.) point to the character of leadership that promotes a practical approach for developing godly leaders.

Biblical leaders invest their life in seeking the mind of Christ. The development of this thought is based in the words of Paul to the church at Philippi.

Examining the text provides a number of key thoughts expressed as they relate to the mind of Christ demonstrated through His coming to earth and going to the cross.

Paul begins with a Christlike motive: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.”

He identifies the foundational attitude: “But with humility of mind.”

The concluding activity is vital to the mind of Christ: “Regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

These three areas are key to understanding what Paul describes as the mind of Christ which should be emulated by all Christians.

The significance of understanding the mind of Christ must be coupled with the need to seek the mind of Christ.

Biblical leaders are dedicated to understanding the mind of Christ, but they also seek to model their life after the example of Christ.

When these two areas meet, leadership provides a Christlike direction for others.

“Talent is a gift that brings with it an obligation to serve the world, and not ourselves, for it is not of our making.” Jose Marti

Two major ideas stand out from this quote worthy of consideration.

First, talent is a gift. There is not enough space to dig into all the details of this statement. We all have opportunities to develop the abilities we have been given. Through education or experience we can develop natural gifts and improve the use of our talent to serve others, but talent is something given to us by God.

Second, there is an obligation to use our talents to serve the greater good. To think that the abilities we have been given are only for ourselves is an incredible act of narcissism. As stated above, the talent we have is not of our making. The obligation we must fulfill is serving the good of others.

The application of this thought could be one of the most world changing steps in leadership. This example, as demonstrated by godly leaders toward others, illustrates one of the most significant forms of biblical love.