Bob Turner

The Promised Land…

From the Old Testament to the New there are continual references to a land promised to God’s people. The children of Israel lived in captivity as slaves to the nation of Egypt anticipating the day someone would come and lead them to the promised land, a physical “land flowing with milk and honey.”

As well, God’s people today are living with the anticipation of a land God has promised. It is not a physical land here on earth, but a land beyond anything we can comprehend. This land will be one of rest where there will be no sickness or death.

The challenge is to recognize two great truths. One, we live in a world that is enslaved as captives to sin. They need someone to lead them with the anticipation of a better land.

Two, God’s people need leaders who will help them keep their focus on this promised land and not become enslaved again to sin.

The world and the church today need leaders who can see the promised land and are willing to lead others there.

Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“When you’re always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness.” Dale Archer

Leaders face many challenges. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges is learning that we are all leaders, so the question becomes how should we lead?

The very idea of spiritual leadership is unique in and of itself. If we are simply conforming to what the world sees as the norm as leaders, how powerful is it to consider we might be losing our foundation for greatness.

We lead because people need hope. We lead because salvation is at stake. We lead because God needs leaders. We lead because it makes a difference.

If this is true, then let us not conform to how the world sees leadership. Let us rise up and establish a foundation of greatness, leading as the servants God has called us to be in His kingdom.

Safety Cover…

I have a cover on my Bible to protect it. In case I drop it or need to lay it down where the sun might shine directly on it, I want to make sure I take good care of this gift.

I began thinking about the importance of providing leadership that ensures safety. How can we best provide this safety? Developing the 3 C’s is at least one approach.

Communication: One of the greatest challenges in the successful operation of any area of work is effective communication. Developing effective communication is a two way street involving skills that provide adequate information and being a good listener.

Consistency: We must guard against hypocrisy. Followers are not looking for perfection. However, they are looking for consistency. What we profess and how we live should match. Developing consistency is vital for safety.

Compassion: Do others know we care about them? Are we there when they have a physical, emotional, or spiritual need? The compassion we demonstrate can be one of the most important areas of safety.

Our efforts to help others feel safe ensures growth and development for the Lord’s kingdom.

Hang On Five More Minutes…

One of the things I despise the most is being on the phone and then put on hold. For some reason, like most of our culture, I do not like waiting.

If there is a set time for an appointment, I do not want to wait, nor do I want to keep someone waiting.

Perhaps it is due to my work background, culture, or something family related. Either way, the patience tends to wear thin quickly.

However, scripture teaches us to endure while we are waiting on the return of the Lord. He may delay in His coming and we must wait patiently with an eager anticipation.

When we face various trials we are to endure knowing the outcome of completeness.

We also learn that when we are suffering for doing what is right, we must endure it patiently. We do so knowing it finds favor with the Lord.

As spiritual leaders, our example of patient endurance, while waiting on the Lord, helps others recognize  how to live through the challenges of in their life. Sometimes, we just need to hang on five more minutes. Think Souls.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Gracious

Of all the ways to describe the word gracious; courteous, kind, pleasant, elegant, tasteful, my favorite is “showing divine grace.”

I have heard it said that justice is receiving what we deserve. Mercy is not receiving what we deserve, but grace is receiving what we do not deserve. Please read this again.

God has not given us what we deserve. Because of sin we deserve the consequence of death. His mercy does not pronounce upon us the condemnation we deserve. However, the magnitude of God’s grace, demonstrated by His love, gives us what we do not deserve, a gift. Jesus took upon Himself what we deserved, so that we might receive what we did not deserve. This is the gracious nature of our Father.

If being gracious is about showing divine grace, then our leadership needs to involve giving others what they do not deserve. This has incredible life changing ramifications for leaders.

While we should always be courteous, kind, pleasant, elegant and tasteful, our true and lasting legacy should be remembered as giving others what they do not deserve.

I’m Lovin’ It…

When was the last time we were so excited about something we could not sleep? Are we so passionate about it we are driven by it constantly?

While McDonalds has used the phrase “I’m lovin’ it” for some time now, I am amused every time I hear an attendant use very little enthusiasm expressing this phrase. Few seem to enjoy or even like their job, and I am sure adding this phrase does not help.

However, the idea behind it should be formidable for our leadership. We should have the type of joy, expressed by our enthusiasm, to demonstrate our love for God and in our leadership of others.

This does not mean we will always have good days. It does not mean our life will be filled with comfort and convenience. It certainly does not mean we will be free from tragedy, illness or difficulty.

What it means is our joy is found in knowing the challenges of life, whatever they may be, can be faced with confidence, knowing the outcome of completeness and a hope of an eternal dwelling far greater than anything this life offers. I’m lovin’ it.

Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“This is a world of white water where we have to change to survive; where we have to develop to thrive; and, paradoxically, where the very act of change increases the risk that we won’t survive.” Randall White, Phillip Hodgson and Stuart Craine, The Future of Leadership: A White Water Revolution

I am not one who really likes taking risks. I also know the challenge of taking risks that are too great.

However, this quote is interesting. It speaks of the incredible changing world we live in and the need to make changes to survive in it. As well, there is a need to grow, developing for success, knowing the very risk we are taking could lead to failure.

Consider a few areas where we need to take a risk by learning to say yes as leaders!

Say yes to teach a Bible class, lead prayer, fill in when the preacher is away, or go across the street and ask someone for a Bible study.

Saying yes does involve taking a risk, but the opportunities for personal growth and changing the eternal destiny of someone else are worth it!

The Coming Of Globalization…

The arrival of globalization is more accurate. It is no longer a matter of if or when. Globalization is here and now! We are not waiting for the coming of globalization.

How many times have we heard or thought to ourselves the world is sure getting smaller?

With the touch of a button on a keyboard messages can be communicated on the other side of the world.

Skype has certainly had a part in shrinking the size of our planet.

While we could go on with a list of areas attributing to the global impact occurring in the twenty-first century, there are several questions we need to consider.

Are we aware of global changes? Economically? Politically? Socially? Culturally Religiously?
Have we considered how to embrace these changes?
Does our current plan involve a domestic or global approach?
How are we preparing our leadership within a global context?

These are only a few questions we need to address within the Lord’s church. We are no longer waiting. The world is on our doorstep now!

We need to be taking steps to lead with a global view in mind.

Is There Something In The Background?

We generally associate music with being in the background. At times, we are aware of children playing in the background. We even refer to background noise.

What is it about the elements going on in the background? What significance does the background play when it comes to our leadership?

First, we need to know there is a difference between “underground” and “background.” It is possible to have something going on underneath that could be destructive to our efforts to lead. However, a number of areas can be working in the background to support the overall structure of the work.

Second, the individuals who are in the background are usually the best support for the work. These are the individuals who keep everything moving and working. They work tirelessly and always seem to know exactly what to do and when to do it.

Leaders should consider the people who are in the background as an asset and work to provide the support needed to equip them for success.

Could it be said that a leader is only as good as the people who are in the background? Think about it.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Tenacity

Tenacity identifies someone who is determined. There is a certain ability to hold on to something tightly with an incredible determination.

Look around. It does not take much to see how people demonstrate tenacity in all areas of life, from recreation to religion. When we examine our priorities we generally find our tenacity.

When I consider the definition of tenacity I think of the apostle Paul. I remember his words to the church at Corinth, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

What an incredible statement. Paul demonstrated tenacity in all areas of his leadership among the Lord’s people. Through his writings we continually see the driving force. Perhaps a few thoughts will help us understand how to be tenacious.

Be passionate…
Remove the impossibility factor…
Know what is worth dying for and live for it…
Have a clear vision of God…
Challenge yourself and others to do something great!

These few ideas can create a whole new approach to our leadership.