Learning occurs within the realm of several venues. We can learn from the mistakes of others, as well as the successes.

We can learn from teachers who have academic credentials and those who simply have experience.

Learning is not the issue. We are learning something everyday from someone. We cannot help it and we cannot resist it. Everything we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, smell with our nose and feel with our hands creates a learning situation.

However, it is the importance of what we learn that really makes the difference.

Just from a spiritual perspective, are we learning information that promotes a greater knowledge of God’s word, closer relationship with the Savior, and a walk that is according to the Spirit?

Is our fellowship with brothers and sisters characterized by love, patience, and an understanding that promotes family?

Learning matters that are spiritual in nature provides a foundation for lasting leadership. When considering the importance of learning remember it is the importance of what we learn that is most important.

Recently, the Bear Valley Bible Institute conducted its annual staff retreat. The purpose of the retreat was to focus on the work being done at the Bible Institute and around the world. The result was a renewal for everyone who attended.

The power in renewal is amazing as progress is shared, problems are discussed and plans are made for the future.

The time shared together is one that brings us all closer together as brothers and sisters, as well as, fellow workers participating in the greatest work on earth.

There is also a great take away lesson for leaders.

The day to day grind of work, shuffling one stack of papers to the next, struggling with solutions to problems, and an incredible work schedule tends to deplete leaders.

If leaders are going to maintain the qualities needed to remain emotionally strong there needs to be time to renew.

Spiritually, we must be renewed daily on the strength found in God’s word and through prayer. Such renewal helps us keep focused, accountable, and strong in providing help to others. Think Souls!

Few areas in life seem to be constant. The idea behind this word involves remaining the same over an extended time.

Children need a constant they know will provide a consistent standard by example and instruction for how they need to live.

Employees need employers to be a constant in providing direction for the future growth and development of companies.

The implication for spiritual leadership is obviously the same. Why? Because God has provided a constant in every area necessary for life and godliness.

His word does not change. He does not change. His plans and the gospel are eternal.

Since God is such a constant for life, our efforts must be to develop the qualities needed to demonstrate the constant of life for others.

Ultimately, we are talking about growing to maturity in our leadership. The more we grow, the more constant we are as leaders, and the more our maturity is seen.

If there was ever something needed within the church, for the world to see, it would be a life lived by the constant of God’s word.

What is the most significant project we are working on at the present? Is the project worth being achieved? Will the outcome make a difference in the lives of others?

When it comes to our effort to lead others there are some things worth being achieved in our leadership. Consider a few of the following suggestions.

Be an Andrew. His name appears only a few times in the New Testament, and it is generally in a list of the apostles. While we might not remember his name, we certainly know his brother, Peter. Andrew was responsible for bringing Peter to Jesus. For leaders, this is a task worth achieving.

Be a Barnabas. The very name means “son of encouragement.” Providing encouragement to others is one of the greatest achievements as a leader.

Be a Timothy. The very purpose Timothy served in Ephesus was to preach the word and teach those who were faithful to teach others. Such activity would ensure salvation for everyone involved.

These are only three suggestions, but if we work to achieve the activity of each, we will provide a leadership that makes a spiritual difference.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – John Wooden

Several years ago a friend shared a conversation with me where he was told the way he saw himself and the way others saw him was different. He judged himself by his intentions and others judged him by his actions.

People are watching their leaders. This is especially true, if not more so, when it comes to spiritual leaders. The life of a spiritual leader is under the microscope 24/7.

We have to be careful about how we see ourselves versus the way others see us. Sadly, there are only a few who will be honest enough to tell us how we are seen by others. We live in a culture where we are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, or offending them. Therefore, we tend to say nothing.

There needs to be a good balance and the right attitude in the way we approach relationships.

We need to strive at making sure our character and reputation align themselves perfectly.

Success can often be linked to the achievement of goals. Considering the necessity of a daily “to-do” list, we find great value in checking off each item accomplished. As we look back over what we have done at the end of the day, there is a sense of pride associated with the success achieved.

Leaders understand how a complete life is one built upon daily achievement over an extended period.

What is the point?

The only way we are able to enjoy the success of the complete life is when we know what we are trying to achieve.

Talking about a checklist for life and leadership has little meaning if we are not aware of where we are going.

Another thought we need to connect with this post involves the fact that we cannot develop a plan / checklist to achieve success unless we have an idea of where we are headed.

I will be the first to say we all need a checklist for life and leadership. If we are leading people to eternal life, then we must know how to lead them there.

Is it a 5 Hour Energy shot? Coffee? Exercise?

What is it that gets us up and going in the mornings? Regardless of the artificial nature of our pick-me-up, we all have times we badly need a little help.

The challenge is learning what provides a kick to the attitude. Consider the following:

Start the day with the Lord in prayer. Nothing helps the spirit more than pouring our hearts out to the heavenly Father. Speak from the heart and know He is listening. If there is a need to confess sin, then do so and let God remove the burden.

Follow up with reading the Word. Amazingly, we are not the only ones who needed a pick-me-up. David found himself in need of God. He expresses throughout the Psalms the value of God’s word, the meditation of his heart. The same works for us.

Provide a hand up to someone else. There are few activities that lift the spirit more than helping someone else. If we open our eyes and look opportunities abound. As we lift up others, our own spirit is lifted up.

Development carries a number of significant applications. The one I prefer involves a specified state of growth or advancement.

The indication of development is connected to measurement. With development we should have a means by which we are able to measure or determine the specified growth or advancement.

The challenge is learning how to measure our leadership. How can leadership be accurately assessed for growth and advancement?

I am not sure if there is a more difficult question to answer, but here are a few possible suggestions.

First, and foremost, consider the activity of those who are following. If there is no activity, then our leadership is probably not growing. Growth can quickly be measured by the application of others.

Second, examine carefully the feedback responses that are given. Positive and negative feedback have a powerful place in the growth and development being assessed.

Third, find a mentor. The value of having someone to examine the growth and advancement of leadership is immeasurable. A good mentor can make the difference.

While there are many other suggestions, development of leadership is critical to the advancement and growth of any work.

We are all aware of the efforts often put forth toward a specific cause. Causes may range from self-preservation to self-gratification.

At times we labor in a cause that provides for the physical well being of others. We even appreciate the value of a cause that preserves the well being of the planet.

However, as leaders it is vital that we develop a vision for the spiritual cause of Christ.

A little Google research will indicate that Labor Day is designated to celebrate the social and economic contributions of the work force of this country.

While I appreciate many of the achievements by the workers of our country, I think it would do us well to understand the need for emphasis upon the cause of Christ.

We labor diligently to provide for the physical future of our families. We should also consider their spiritual and eternal future with the same intensity.

The Bible teaches us to work at providing for our families. The emphasis leans more, however, to the spiritual.

Of all the causes worth laboring for today, let us labor to lead toward an eternal future.

“We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give.” Douglas Lawson

I have loved this quote for a long time. I keep it on my desk as a reminder of what my leadership needs to be focused on doing.

The culture of our world is increasingly more and more about me. The result is a take mentality. What develops is a generation that is never satisfied and always wanting more. The insatiable drive to only please self becomes the motivating factor for every decision.

However, leaders cannot afford to allow this mindset to permeate their thinking or leadership.

Will it be easy to overcome the influence of a cultural mindset and redirect the thinking to a more giving society?

No! It will not be easy, but it can be done. Where it all begins is with me! When I develop a giving mentality, then the influence of leadership begins to change the attitude of others.

If we can help change one at a time, then eventually, the cultural norm will enjoy a lasting legacy.