It was not uncommon when my children were younger to tell them “I’m from Missouri.” The statement was usually a follow up to some outlandish, if not impossible, feat they had heard about at school. The kids quickly learned Missouri is the “Show-Me” state and dad was basically saying, “you have to show me.” I wanted proof.

What about our leadership? Can we prove it? The question implies a measure of evidence. The claim of being a leader does not make one a leader. People who follow someone out of compulsion, does not make the one they follow a leader. A title does not make one a leader.

What evidence proves our leadership? Are people willing to follow? An old adage claims: “if you think you are leading and no one is following, then you are just taking a walk.”

The proof of our leadership is also determined by how we answer the following questions.

Do we demonstrate love for those who follow, seeking their highest good?

Are our goals driven by spiritual or selfish desires?

What determines our decisions?

Examining the proof of our leadership determines how we lead.

A friend and brother in Christ, Bennie Wallace, is a student of leadership and children. He recently submitted the following.

“Studies have shown that the attention span of the average person is between 18 and 20 minutes. All of us who have children know that a child’s can be much shorter. One of my grandsons will always ask, “what are we going to do next,” just as soon as I have told him what we are about to do now.

One plan that seems to work well is to always have three activities planned at any given time. The first will be the present activity being done within the next couple of weeks. Just before this activity begins, start promoting the second activity and as the time draws near for the second activity, start promoting the third. At any given time the children will know about 2 activities that are planned.

If you can keep the above going, children will not lose interest. We need to keep the children busy in God’s work and we will have fewer in trouble and more leaders in the future.

Leaders need to always be on the lookout for things to occupy and educate the children. They are the future of the Church.”

One of the most graceful sports of the Winter Olympics is figure skating. I have grown to appreciate the elegance and precision demonstrated by each skater.

The idea of elegance and precision are unique in several ways.

Elegance involves a manner characterized by grace and style.
Precision describes the approach, exact and accurate in nature.

Combining these two areas not only lays a foundation for an Olympic figure skater, they also make a leader unique.

Jesus epitomized both elegance and precision. His ministry from beginning to end was characterized by grace. The timing behind every word and lesson taught was exact and accurate. He was / is the Master. Every demonstration of power was taken on His Father’s time schedule. He took no step apart from the will of His Father.

Leaders today must constantly work to perfect spiritual leadership. We need to think, plan and execute with elegance and precision every aspect of leading others to and for Christ. Every word spoken should be as the utterances of God. Every step taken should be an action based on the counsel of God’s will. Doing so ensures unique leadership.

To lead is to sacrifice. Leadership is sacrifice. When will the sacrifice need to be made? What sacrifice will be necessary?

Above all, are we willing to make the sacrifice?

The apostle Paul made great sacrifices in serving the Lord and the church.

First, Paul claimed nothing held more value than knowing Christ Jesus. He suffered the loss of all things in order to know Christ. Notice the terminology associated with knowing Jesus: the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

Paul wanted to know Christ, experiencing the same sacrifices.

Second, Paul’s willingness to suffer was past and future tense. Later in Paul’s ministry, he states what he had given up in the past and why, but he further points out his willingness to endure.

If we go below the surface and examine Paul’s leadership, we will find a leader of great sacrifice. His level of sacrifice is exemplified throughout his writings. He willingly made sacrifice for His God and the church.

Let us arise and make the necessary sacrifices to lead according to the example we find in Paul.

Do we know what should be done?
Why are we waiting?

Do we have the ability and resources to make it happen?
Why are we waiting?

Souls are waiting. The church is waiting. Our God is waiting.

We know what should be done. God has given us the ability and resources to make it happen.
Why are we waiting?

With so much at stake, are we willing to wait?

When we stand before God will our procrastination be worth it, knowing we waited…too long?

Application is generally made to the individual who delays obeying the gospel. The same applies to leading.

We need to challenge our excuses. We cannot wait any longer. Paul’s words to the church at Corinth should be remembered. Act like men. Leadership will not wait!

The past few years for me have highlighted a greater study of key words in the Bible. A recent article emphasized “king” and “Lord” as key words from 1 Samuel.

Based on these two words, the thought of Samuel provides a key to understanding spiritual leadership.

Israel wanted a king. They failed to recognize in their request, they were rejecting the Lord as their king. A valuable lesson should be learned.

To lead as God desires, the Lord must reign as King.

Spiritual leaders submit to His authority in making decisions.
Spiritual leaders point others to the Lord as King.
Spiritual leaders seek God’s approval rather than approval of man.
Spiritual leaders willingly sacrifice for the good of others.
Spiritual leaders know the higher cause of leadership.

Men trusting in men will ultimately lead to destruction. The Lord’s supremacy is the basis for true spiritual leadership.

What key words would describe our spiritual leadership? Are we seeking our own lordship or does the Lord have His proper place?

One has to do with information and the other a description. However, both represent something of little value.

Sadly, it is not uncommon for people to build their life’s existence on following one or the other.

What value do we place on our material possessions?
How do we spend our recreational time?
What would we miss most if it were lost, destroyed, or taken away?

Our direction in life should involve moving from the lesser to the greater. Spiritual leadership must be concerned with leading from the temporary (trivial) to the eternal.

Ultimately, there is no value in the physical realm. God alone provides true value. When we find and understand the value of the spiritual realm, life will no longer be trivial, but useful.

This is the great lesson from the book of Ecclesiastes. I pray our leadership will place value where it is most needed.

A recent lesson on being unique stirred my thinking about leadership. A number of individuals in scripture stand out as unique. One of my favorites is Ehud. Ehud delivered Israel from the nation of Moab. He is specifically noted as the only left-handed judge. This uniqueness was key to his role in putting Eglon, king of Moab, to death.

Biologically, a study of the fingerprint shows how clearly unique each individual is as a part of God’s creation. The fingerprint is only one evidence, among many, of an all powerful, wise, and unique God.

The idea of being unique deserves consideration in leadership. What makes our leadership unique or is it unique? Is there a unique characteristic, ability, or approach?

The marketing world strives to present various products as unique. Such an approach demonstrates the desire on the part of people, in general, to possess something unique.

In spiritual leadership, we have something unique to offer, incomparable to anything offered by the world.  Spiritual leaders today must think souls. Extend an offer both unique and eternal. Read 1 Peter 1:4 and rethink this idea of unique leadership.

What makes a great leader? Achievement? Financial independence? Educational degrees? Business accolades?

It might be interesting to look through God’s eyes in contrast to the eyes of the world.

The description of true greatness given by our Lord is one of a servant. A great leader is a servant. Consider the mindset of a servant leader.

A servant leader desires the benefit of others above self.
A servant leader focuses on the goal of the whole, not a select few.
A servant leader leads with passion and compassion.
A servant leader gives more than they take.
A servant leader sacrifices willingly and lovingly.
A servant leader understands the importance of a good example.
A servant leader focuses on every person they meet.
A servant leader values every second of every minute.
A servant leader follows the Greatest Leader who was a servant of all!

My prayer this day is for all of us to become a great leader in the eyes of God. The rest will take care of itself.

Media coverage quickly reveals the abuse of power often seen in high profile political officials. Abuse ranges from issues of morality to ethics. It is not uncommon for people who are elected, raised up, or given a position of power to think they are above the law.

The very thought of power creates the temptation to use that power inappropriately.

God reveals the problem throughout the Old Testament with various kings in Israel. Saul, Jeroboam, Jezebel, Manasseh, and others demonstrated an example of abuse in their power.

It is tragic to learn of God’s men today succumbing to immorality or unethical business deals. In a moment of poor judgment a decision made abuses the power entrusted to them.

Consider the awesome God we serve.

Practice God’s presence… ALWAYS!

Remember the position was given by God’s providence.

Develop an open door policy.

Never say or do anything you would not say or do in your wife’s presence.

Pray… without ceasing.

If we give thought to a few areas, maybe we can begin to understand the proper use of the power entrusted to us by God.