Goals are vital to the success of any group or organization. Sadly, as leaders, our tendency is to see goals more as vague wishes.

These goals are usually cased in phrases like: “this year we want to do more…” or “our goal is to be more…” or “we need to increase…”

Goals should be framed with specifics that can be measured. Goals should be achievable, involve action, and be realistic. We must also see the need to set a time for achieving them.

For example: “over the next 6 months we will read the Old Testament,” or “in the next 12 months we want to share the gospel with 24 new people.” These goals meet all the requirements stated.

Short and long term goals are also key components to developing plans for moving forward.

Leaders need long term vision to establish goals for 25 or 30 years ahead. As well, to keep morale high and people motivated to achieve the goal(s), there must be short term goals that can be achieved.

Looking back on a few stepping stones (goals achieved) will keep everyone focused on the direction ahead.

The primary definition of this week’s word indicates a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

Perhaps a more relevant application, or simplified approach involves a rule or belief governing one’s personal behavior.

As leaders, several questions are important to consider regarding this thought.

1) Why should we have principles to govern behavior?

2) What rule or belief governs our personal behavior?

3) Do we have a rule or belief in place for this purpose?

4) Are these rules or beliefs based on humanistic or biblical foundations?

5) Will others see the consistency between our principles and behavior?

A life lived by biblical principles will always influence others. Principles that are consistently lived will also directly relate to the integrity needed for powerful leadership.

When leaders consider the answers to these questions regarding principles and behavior, the steps to harmonize them will develop leadership worth following.

Leading people who are unwanted is challenging. Instead of allowing fears or preconceived ideas to be an excuse for getting involved, we need to find the appropriate avenues to be involved and make a difference.

There are two main questions to consider: Why? and How? The first we will consider this week and the second next week.

Why should leaders be troubled with trying to lead those who are unwanted?

First, because every person was created in the image of God. The beauty of this thought should motivate leaders to reach out with the same compassion God demonstrates toward us.

Second, leadership is about people. We are not leading objects, but people. Until leaders look through the eyes of God and the lens of humanity, this thought will be challenging.

Third, we would want someone to lead us if the roles were reversed. It is very difficult in the midst of prosperity to see a self-image of reversed circumstances and picture the need.

Fourth, the need for salvation overrides any possible reason for inactivity. Everyone needs Christ and Christ died for everyone. Think Souls!

More next week…

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” Douglas MacArthur

MacArthur is known for many quotes when dealing with leadership. His leadership stands as exemplary when considering the U.S. Army’s influence in World War II.

This specific thought exemplifies five key components that have a powerful direction to the leadership that should exist in God’s people today.

Confidence – We need confidence in who our God is and the power of His word to save souls.

Courage – Leaders must demonstrate courage in the times when courage is needed most.

Compassion – This Christlike quality is one that should characterize spiritual leaders.

Equality of Actions – Although it is not always easy, a leaders’ actions must be consistent.

Integrity – Few areas are more important, and yet so difficult, than walking with integrity.

The thought from MacArthur provides numerous lessons that hold value in connection to leadership.

One of the great thoughts of scripture, and certainly needed in leadership, is the confidence of God answering our prayers.

I have heard several quote the popular song that thanked God for unanswered prayers. I have also heard it said that sometimes God just says no.

When David writes this Psalm, he claims “On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.”

How can we have the confidence to make this kind of claim in our relationship today?

1) Pray in keeping with God’s will (James 4:15; 1 John 5:14).

2) Ask in faith (Matthew 21:22; James 1:5-8).

3) Pray at all times without losing heart / be persistent (Luke 18:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

4) Without being anxious and by giving thanks in everything (Philippians 4:6)

5) Be devoted to prayer (Colossians 4:2).

The list continues throughout the Bible to assist us in learning how to pray, what to pray for, and the confidence we can have through these avenues.

Of all people, leaders must demonstrate they are people of prayer.

To this point, we have considered three questions that all great leaders ask. There is a fourth question these leaders ask that is also significant to consider: “What might be missing?”

Mike Maddock, who writes for Forbes online, claims “great leaders are open to the fact (and it is a fact) that they are missing something.”

We do not have the space to list all the possibilities in answer to this question. It should be noted that what is missing can range from the most simple of ideas to the most complex issues of leadership teams.

The value of asking this question, and the need for leaders to press others to answer this question, demonstrates the kind of humility great leaders need in their leadership.

When humility is part of the equation, along with an openness to the possibilities, then followers will provide answers.

A sense of creativity, innovation, and motivation will exist to provide a stronger morale in achieving short and long term goals.

We cannot underestimate the power of humility seen in God’s leaders.

The idea associated with “optimism” includes hope and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something.

The contrast between leaders who are optimistic and those who are not seems to be connected to age and experience. The older leaders become, or the negative nature of life’s experiences, can hinder optimistic leadership.

The challenge is how to overcome the pessimistic tendencies and keep hope and confidence alive. Among the many possibilities, here are a few suggestions:

1) Remember, “everyone” is not against us.

2) Stop trying to live in or change the past, because we cannot.

3) Be surrounded by optimistic people who cast a vision of hope.

4) Be realistic about personal expectations.

5) Learn to accept who we are as a person.

6) Express gratitude for what we have physically and spiritually.

7) Reflect more often on the positive areas of life.

The internet is loaded with ways to develop a more optimistic focus in life. As leaders, it is worth the time we take to share our optimism with those who follow.

Try it and see how contagious it becomes.

Several reasons explain why we avoid getting involved in leading people who would be considered “unwanted.”

However, we also need to consider the nature of excuses often made to keep from getting involved.

Again, the list is not exhaustive.

1) They are not interested.

2) We are not prepared to handle their baggage.

3) They might steal something?

4) They are just cons.

5) The government helps them.

Initially, I was going to write beside each excuse, but I believe the thoughts stand alone. One of the major problems with each statement is the pronouns: “they, them, their.”

The tendency is to see people more as an object than a person. We build contrasts between us and them, a barrier that is separated by excuses used to justify inactivity.

I am aware there have been abuses, cons, stealing, etc. Sadly, we allow these situations to paint the picture for the whole, and write the whole off.

We are offended when the same is done to us, so why do we allow ourselves to fall into the same trap?

This is not an easy task, nor is it comfortable, but it is needed.

What trails are you blazing? What paths are you cutting through the brush? And where will you end up from your efforts? But more important than that…have you left a clear path for others to follow, and if they do follow, where will they end up? Michael Hite

When I first read this post I immediately thought of how powerful these questions are for leadership.

When we question our leadership, consideration should be given to the followers. Have we really considered where others will end up when they follow our leadership?

The choices come down to the following and similar ideas:

1) Closer to, or further away from God…

2) More spiritually, or more worldly focused…

3) Stronger, or weaker in faith…

4) Growing, or declining in knowledge of God’s word…

There are many more possibilities, but the point is the same. Our leadership should be important enough to consider the destination followers will reach by following our leadership.

Leaders should be willing to blaze the type of trail that when others follow they will end up in heaven. Think Souls!

If you are familiar with the Psalms, you know the idea of “blessed” is a key word throughout the entire collection.

As well, this specific phrase is how Psalm 1 begins. The thoughts expressed throughout the first Psalm have great significance when applied to leadership.

First, leaders need to be careful where they go and who they listen to regarding their leadership. They must not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

Second, the true heart and success of spiritual leadership is the result of following the path provided by God in His word. Notice how the Psalmist emphasizes the delight, meditation and resulting prosperity that follows the one who is deeply rooted in God’s law.

Third, considering the contrasts of this Psalm also indicates the consequences of impending judgment for those who fail to follow the way of righteousness.

Leaders have a unique opportunity when leading others on the right path. The responsibility is great, but the rewards of a fruitful life and eternal prosperity make the responsibility worth it all.