When Paul visited Athens, his message received a mixed reaction. Some mocked his teaching about the resurrection. It seemed impossible for anyone to comprehend how a dead person could be raised to life. There were also others who believed and followed.

However, it is the group in the middle I find interesting. There were some who wanted to hear more about this strange teaching of Paul.

We often times miss this middle group. We have a tendency to push for a conviction. We want people to respond and make a commitment at that moment. As a result, some will reject the truth and some will accept.

Leaders should be more receptive to the reality that some people just need to hear us again concerning the message.

Never lose sight of the need for people to digest the message. Generally, the message is going to be far different from what they expected. It will be convicting, and it can be condemning.

Take a moment to reflect and ask if a return visit will provide opportunity to revisit the teaching and study further.

I have enjoyed studying the Bible for several years. One of my favorite things to do is sit down with plenty of time to really examine the text and highlight key words and phrases.

Once I have finished highlighting these areas in a specific book, I enjoy going back and studying how they are used in the text. I am able to explore the author’s intent by the frequency of these words or phrases.

I began thinking about how we should highlight our leadership. By definition, the idea of highlighting involves an outstanding part of an event or time.

A self-examination of our leadership is vital to understanding a number of key areas for our influence.

What about our leadership stands out that would highlight our leadership in the minds of those who are following?

How are we using our time to highlight the purpose of our leading?

We could ask a number of questions, but our consideration should always be driven to make sure that our leadership is highlighted in such a way to point others to Jesus. Think Souls!

The Bible is filled with words and phrases connected to action.

James teaches us to be “doers of the word, not merely hears.” It is self-deception to think we can listen to God’s word and never take action to make changes in our life.

Jesus described a wise man and a foolish man. Both men heard the same message, but the difference was seen in that the wise man acted upon the words of Jesus and the foolish man did not.

Perhaps there is another lesson to be learned from the emphasis upon setting an example. Paul uses the terminology “be an imitator of me, as I am of Christ.” He also urged the church in Philippi to join in following his example. Both passages indicate action by the one setting the example and by the one emulating it.

Leaders lead by example. Our lives should be seen as acting upon the words of Jesus. As such, we leave an example for others that is worth emulating.

Considering our influence, maybe we can understand the need to help others be more Christlike through our actions.

Our culture has developed an ability to act one way, yet at the core they are really someone else.

We often refer to this as hypocrisy. While this is true, we also need to understand that our culture has been working on developing this long enough it has become accepted, normal, expected and somewhat glorified through Hollywood.

A number of tragedies over the years have occurred where an individual walks into a movie theater, high school, restaurant, or mall and begins a killing rampage. The people who knew the individual often express how they never thought they would have done something like this. On the surface they seemed normal. However, at the core they were someone quite different.

We also see the connection to spiritual leadership. How many times throughout the past century has the core of a religious leader been exposed in sinful activity?

Our leadership needs to be characterized by a core that is true to walking with integrity, working righteousness and speaking truth in our hearts.

Here is where we begin to develop the opportunity for our greatest influence.

“Arrogance is ignorance in a suit.” Michael Weed

The more I read this quote, the more I want to make sure I guard my heart from arrogance.

When seen we do not like it and we become critical. Arrogance is evidenced in several areas. The following is a good explanation.

“A strongly arrogant person will usually try to downplay other people’s achievements or ideas in order to make himself appear better. Arrogant people will even ignore or downplay good ideas from others, as they cannot accept that others might have better ideas than themselves. This makes reasonable communication difficult and arguments impossible to resolve fairly as the arrogant person will not accept the other person’s point of view, no matter how logical/intuitive or correct it is, because the arrogant person is really having an emotional argument about his own arrogance.” http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Arrogant

Understanding the issue explains the quote by Weed. Because one who is arrogant does not recognize such indicates an ignorance beyond their own intelligence level.

Leadership must guard against being or appearing arrogant. It is destructive to our influence and credibility.

As a teacher there are many factors to be considered for a successful classroom experience.

We are all aware of making sure the material is interesting and the environment is beneficial for the students.

We may employ visual aids, i.e. PowerPoint, whiteboard or handouts. We may incorporate dialogue.

Whatever we choose the bottom-line involves learning. Is the student learning the material being presented? Is the learning environment conducive for everyone?

The most common mistake made is the idea that teachers teach and students learn. This mentality leads to a lecture style of teaching and it tends to avoid discussion that might challenge the thinking of the teacher.

In reality, as teachers who lead in a wonderful environment, it is important to approach the class from one of being a student ourselves. We need to use the opportunity to learn from our students.

They come with knowledge, life experience, and abilities that make the classroom exactly what it should be; a place where everyone learns.

I look forward to another year of learning together with others God’s will for our lives.

Perhaps you have heard the adage “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”

Success in any area does not usually happen by accident. Quality is not the result of happenstance.

Success and quality are the results of high intention and planning with a dedication to persevere to the end.

Far too often people tend to wander through life with the day in and day out routine of addressing whatever happens to come their way. When difficulty is faced or tragedy occurs questions are raised; how and why did this happen, as well as, what should be done next?

However, when a plan is in place from the beginning, once these challenges occur, foresight has already formulated direction, in case of the proverbial bump in the road.

This does not mean we will never have to deal with the unexpected, but if we negotiate the curve before we are in it, then we know how to handle those times.

Leading requires a plan. This is even more significant when the spiritual application is connected. Whatever time is given to develop a good plan it will always produce success and quality.

Technically, the idea involves a person, place or thing from which something comes or can be obtained, and for our purposes, it will be connected to knowledge.

The source for anything we could list becomes a valuable resource or tool.

Finding a source for clean, pure water can mean life to a community of people.

Acquiring a source for assistance in the achievement of financial stability can secure the future development of a nation.

We would also agree that a source for salvation changes the eternal destiny of the world.

Thankfully, in God’s omniscience, He provided and fulfilled a plan through which Jesus became the source of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him.

When it comes to our leadership, do others see us as a source where they can come and obtain what is needed to help them learn how to receive God’s grace?

Do we provide a source for others to grow spiritually?

The responsibility is great. I urge you to pray with me for more to see the need and stand in the fight against the spiritual forces of darkness and be a source of light.

Several classes I have taken usually provide two lists of material to be read: required and recommended.

The thought behind these two seems to be self-explanatory. However, while it may be evident that required readings refer to the materials critical to the development of the purpose to be learned in the class, how do recommended materials fit?

After all, most people do not really read the recommended materials anyway, right? So, what purpose is met?

Recently I learned that recommended readings are given to help the student who desires to learn more about a particular subject. These materials are given because they provide additional benefit to the student.

Is our leadership seen as required or recommended? Do others follow because it is required? Is it because the general belief is that only by following will they receive an earned reward?

If others follow a recommendation, then they are following, generally, because they desire to go deeper and learn. The desire is to follow because of the additional benefit provided.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to state that leadership should be required and following is recommended. Interesting thought!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

The key to this leadership thought is the word committed.

I will never forget the first time I heard a university football coach talk about three questions he asked each of the incoming football players.

Can I trust you?
Are you committed?
Do you care?

At the heart of these questions is the thought of commitment. I am convinced that when you take people who can be trusted, who are committed to the cause, and they care, they will change the world.

As Margaret Mead states, “It is the only thing that ever has.”

When we look at the early church, led by apostles who demonstrated the affirmative to all three questions, we find Christians who were willing to give their lives freely for Jesus.

Our leadership for Christ should demonstrate the same if we ever hope to change the world.