I enjoy reading new material, especially when it focuses on passion. Most agree that passion is the difference maker to success.

Darren Hardy’s book, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, talks about “Four Passion Switches.” These switches are below with a snippet of what they reference.

Be passionate about what you do: This one is the most common. People talk about their passion for what they do, but maintaining this level of passion 100 percent of the time is challenging.

Be passionate about why you do it: The mission and vision that drives what a leader does adds another level to passion and when we understand why, passion increases.

Be passionate about how you do it: This switch represents going above and beyond, not just settling for good enough or the status quo. How speaks to the importance of quality.

Be passionate about who you do it for: Hardy refers to this as the “means-to-an-end” switch. Knowing who benefits: family, community, country, etc. drives passion upwards.

I am excited to read more and encourage you to find ways to increase your passion as a leader.

These three words play a vital role in the development of leadership, especially with regards to spiritual leadership.

Lou Holtz expressed it this way: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

The thought raises several questions: (1) What are we capable of doing? (2) What are we doing? (3) How well are we doing it?

Scripture indicates we all have abilities. God intends the church to utilize our abilities to function as He designed the church (Eph. 4:11-16).

Before motivation, think about our attitude. It’s like the “chicken or the egg” scenario. Does attitude determine motivation, or does motivation determine attitude? Either way, the choice of attitude is critical. We choose our attitude and if misguided, motivation suffers.

What really motivates us when we examine the leadership situation in the church today? Are we comfortable leaving it up to anyone who will lead?

It is time to step up. If we don’t, the future of church may rest in the hands of those who are incapable, misguided, and unmotivated. Where will that leave the church?

Few ideas are more significant than the need for survival. For some, the need to find a meal for the day is a matter of survival. For some, getting through the day with their life is a matter of survival.

Leadership survival is an area of great need within the church of the twenty-first century.

Leaders struggle to survive the challenges to their leadership in matters of faith and practice.

Leaders need to survive the false accusations to their character by dissenters.

Leaders must develop survival skills against the forces of division among change agents.

Survival is a priority when it comes to leadership.

Sadly, the survival of leadership involves “being shot at from both sides.” Satan is crafty at using those within and without to attack leadership.

How many times have we heard the idea “it’s lonely at the top.” While spiritual leadership is not about being “at the top,” there are a number of areas that qualify for the loneliness involved as a leader in the Lord’s church.

Perhaps this is why so few are willing to accept this vitally needed role.

Have you ever observed people at the mall, grocery store, bank, airport, or just driving down the highway. Who are they? Where do they live? Where are they going? Are they married? Do they have children…grandchildren? Do they believe in God?

The list of questions is endless. The number of people who live and travel everywhere is incredible, really more mind boggling.

The only way to know anything about them is to get involved in their lives. The challenge is taking that step. How can we lead someone to the Savior without this connection?

More than likely, we need to overcome some of our inhibition to take this step.

We need to overcome fear!

What are we afraid of the most? Rejection? Failure? Making a mistake?

The application of this thought is true whether talking to a stranger at an airport or a neighbor across the street.

Leading anyone to Christ involves the first step to move past our fear and connect to their lives. As challenging as the step may seem, the emotional connection of genuine love makes the difference.

Think Souls! Love People!

One of the greatest needs in our world and one of the greatest challenges involves love.

Without understanding God’s love for us we face the obstacle of how to lead others with love. I say this because God loves us for who we are and where we are, unconditionally. Unconditionally is what introduces the challenge.

As Christians who grow and nurture our relationship with God we can easily lose sight of our past life, a time when we were described as helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. In this condition, Paul says God demonstrates His love toward us.

Notice, Paul did not say demonstrated, as in past tense. The word is present active showing that God demonstrates His love now and it continues with no thought of coming to end.

To lead others to the love of God, we must demonstrate the nature of God’s love in ourselves.

We must show love even toward those who are not always the easiest to love. Is it easy? I cannot say it was for Christ, but He did so anyway. Therefore, we can do the same.