Leaders must be technically proficient. 

On the surface, we would assume if someone is in a leadership position, they would naturally be proficient. Sadly, this is not always the case.

There are two primary areas where this principle has direct application.

First, leaders need to know their job. They need to know what they are supposed to do. Imagine the challenges of a leader who does not know their job responsibilities, or will not allow others to do their job. The result of either is disastrous for the overall production of the group and task. Proficiency occurs when leaders know and fulfill their job.

Second, leaders need to be familiar with the job responsibilities of others. Unless leaders know the job responsibilities of others, and provide accountability for the work, progress becomes dependent on leadership to carry on the work. The result creates conflict and a lack of productivity.

From a spiritual perspective, a good description would be sheep without a shepherd. However, when everyone knows their role and works to fulfill it, the church of Christ functions according to the descriptive body defined in Scripture.

A number of books on the market focus on leadership. We will spare you the details at this point. Suffice it to say that among these books a key word is often used to catch the eye and that word is “passion.”

When we think about people being passionate we associate the thought of excitement, enthusiasm and a number of other characteristics.

However, research shows the word passion originates from a Latin word meaning “suffer.”

Most will remember the movie The Passion Of The Christ. The title of this movie was derived from the idea of the Latin word. Certainly, the movie was filled with the suffering of Jesus.

One of the books that aligns with this thought process is The Leadership Legacy. The authors quickly point out the need for leaders to understand they must serve and suffer.

The significance of suffering is about the willingness of leaders to put the needs of others above themselves. It is a Biblical truth and the quality of great leadership will only be seen when leaders abandon a self-seeking worldly approach.

Be passionate, but understand what passion really means.

The Leadership Fund was started with the goal of investing in the future of leadership. The primary purpose is to invest in spiritual leadership.

As a result, we need to think about the daily approach to leadership on a number of levels. Several areas stand out as necessary for spiritual leaders to consider everyday.

Pray…

Look at the goal…

Share the plan…

Help someone…

Read, grow, learn personally…

Take a few minutes for self…

Listen closely…

Rest…

We may insert a variety of activities throughout the day. We may even do them on a regular basis. We must never let a day go by without making each of these a part of our life as spiritual leaders.

It is an investment with immeasurable and imperishable returns.

“There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela

One word comes to mind in thinking about Mandela’s statement: potential. Material dealing with potential is endless. Books, articles, blogs, etc. exist to explore the concepts surrounding potential and how to reach our greatest potential. Passion thrives when reaching potential, achieving the life we are capable of living.

Determining potential, however, is the challenge before leaders. This challenge increases when considering the spiritual application. Here are a few ideas for determining potential:

1) Attitude – the attitude of the individual plays one of the most significant roles in determining potential. A poor attitude generally equates to low potential and a good attitude to high potential.

2) Action – past and present actions also influence potential. Examining the areas of success and failure, along with the reasons behind that success or failure, lends toward determining potential.

3) Ability – everyone possesses certain abilities. Regardless of the level of the ability, if the ability exists there is always room to improve. Recognizing one’s abilities help determine potential.

How would we define a normal life? At every level the idea is extremely subjective. Normal in one culture will certainly be different in another culture. As well, normal in the mind of a child will not be normal in the mind of an adult.

Regardless of how we might think about a normal life, there is nothing normal about spiritual leadership.

It is a fairly common idea that the higher one goes in leadership the less they have the right to think about themselves, quite contrary to the mindset of the world. The result shows spiritual leaders…

…are concerned about the nature of their influence in and out of the church.

…live consistently with what they believe.

…know the mission of God involves saving others, helping people get to heaven.

…work for a cause far greater than themselves.

…share the planning and development of the goals for spiritual maturity.

…produce results that glorify God and fulfill His will.

Look at how the first word of each thought develops a spiritual leader. Spiritual leaders are those who live consistently, knowing the work they share in produces God’s desired will.

Over the next few weeks, we will look at a specific principle of leadership. Within these principles we will also consider an application for our spiritual leadership today.

Leaders know who they are and always seek improvement.

One of the most challenging areas in our leadership involves an honest self-examination. A good friend who serves as the CEO for a multimillion dollar organization says leaders must constantly “assess, adjust, improve, make mistakes / own them.”

We could appropriately describe this process as the circle of leadership.

Seeking to improve ourselves in leadership is vital to the success of the family and church.

One of the ways to accomplish this improvement is through asking some difficult questions.

Do we really want to be a leader?

What is the motivation behind our desire to lead?

Are we willing to make the necessary sacrifices to lead effectively?

Will we commit ourselves to the task of continually developing our abilities to lead?

Other questions could be asked, but this provides a foundation to help us know who we are and approach a way to improve our leadership.

Next month is the time of year when we generally think about giving and receiving gifts.

We know it is more blessed to give than to receive, but we also enjoy the feeling of knowing someone else thought about us.

The idea of generosity is characterized by this thought: The greatest Giver (God), with the greatest motive (love), gave the greatest gift (His only Son), for the greatest need (our sin).

Leaders should exemplify generosity. We understand the value of generosity because of the example of our God.

Leadership is built on giving…

…our time
…our energy
…our money
…our emotions
…our ability

When leadership demonstrates generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, our generosity must be checked.

Intention: What is the motive behind our gift?
Object: What is the object of our generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?
Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?
Action: Are we ready to start giving?
Self-examination: What are we losing by holding on to it?

What suits our giving? Do we give what is left over, easy, and convenient, or is our generosity suited by the best?

New dimensions of knowing God exist when considering three key words used in the original language of the Bible.

The first word involves a fact-based type of knowledge. The idea highlights knowing facts or information about God, who He is, what He did, etc.

The second word advances a level of understanding. Not only is there factual information, but this information carries an understanding of the meaning and application.

The third word shares the most significant meaning of the three. This word involves knowing by experience, sharing in the same events or activities in order to gain full comprehension.

Paul used this term regarding his relationship with God (Phil. 3:7-10). He wanted to know more than facts about God. He wanted more than an understanding of what those facts meant and how they applied. He wanted to know Christ on the basis of experience.

The privilege of knowing what Jesus went through, “the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” meant more than factual knowledge.

Here is where Paul would know God. Imagine a leadership based on this knowledge.

“Challenge yourself everyday to do better and be better. Remember, growth starts with a decision to move beyond your present circumstances.” Robert Tew

Leaders understand the necessity of growing, improving who they are and all they do. They understand that leading others assumes a responsibility that demands growth.

Tew’s thought serves to address two significant ideas. The first is the daily challenge to do better. While certain choices are made one time for all time, e.g. becoming a Christian; other choices require a daily commitment to achieve. For leaders to become better in who they are and what they do, deciding daily to improve goes far in achieving results.

The second idea emphasizes the decision itself. The reference is not about just any decision, but a decision to move beyond the present circumstances. This requires an ability to examine the present circumstances, conduct an honest evaluation, and take the step towards achieving the goal.

To remain neutral only supports stagnation and ultimately failure. Leaders know the dangers and seek to avoid such an outcome. The one true way to do so is the thought of the day.

Have we ever made plans we were excited about? Have we worked hard preparing for that very moment of the day? Do we eagerly anticipate those plans?

Did something unexpected happening, only to prevent us from fulfilling our expectations?

Disappointment generally overshadows any joy we previously possessed. A few simple suggestions will help us be prepared when these events occur.

Expected the unexpected. We need to know there will be times when the unexpected comes along. If we are not prepared, it can knock us off our feet.

Never go it alone. When events of a severe nature occur, seek help from those who have traveled the path before.

Prepare a back up plan for use…always. Great potential does not always leave us prepared with an alternative course of action. The key is “prepare.” Have a plan ready!

Trust in a positive result. We may not see the good in every situation, at least, not presently. When we put it, and leave it, in God’s hands, the desired intent will result.

It can be a hard lesson, but when it is learned, rarely will we be “surprised.”