Does leadership influence culture, or does culture influence leadership? There is a great deal of controversy over the answer.

Examining the characteristics of culture from each decade over the last 90 years and the leadership of the country reveals interesting information.

The conclusion is split. There are times when it seems the culture influenced leadership. However, it would appear at times, leadership influenced culture, as with Harry Truman during World War II.

Amazingly, the definition of leadership changed each decade in relationship to the culture and the current leadership.

This is also biblically true. When men like Joshua led Israel, his influence led God’s people to remain loyal and faithful. However, we also find the mindset of Israel, at a divisive point, selecting Jeroboam as king. The result was spiritually devastating.

While we may never have a definitive answer, one thought is clear. God intends spiritual leaders to influence the culture and not the reverse.

The task before us is to be the influence in our world. Our prayer should be to arise and accept the challenge with courage and boldness. Eternity matters.

Everyone wants the best. We want the best technological equipment. We want the best car. We want the best clothes and food. We want the best service. We want the best leadership. We want the BEST!

The problem comes in defining “the best.”

The bottom line is “the best” is subjective. The best for one person may not be the best for another.

In addition, what is the basis for the definition? Will the best be defined by work effort? Cost? Achievement? Time spent?

When considering leadership, one might think the pursuit of the best is the right direction. However, it depends on the definition and the foundation of the definition.

Instead, we must pursue excellence. The pursuit of excellence provides a consistency to leadership, especially spiritual leadership.

Pursuing excellence acknowledges the present situation and need.

Pursuing excellence desires to learn and improve.

Pursuing excellence strives to constantly make proper application.

We should give thought to the direction of our leadership. Pursuing excellence will make a difference in our life and in others.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? We have heard the fairy tale and perhaps joked about the absurdity of a mirror responding to our requests.

However, have we looked in the mirror lately? The idea of looking into a mirror dates back to Biblical times.

Mirrors reflect the image standing before it. The concept can be literal or symbolic, physical or spiritual. James writes about the need to look into the mirror of God’s word and see if His word is reflected in our lives.

Sadly, mirrors have often become a tool of vanity, but mirrors also provide a benefit to those who take advantage of their purpose.

Spiritual leaders need to desperately look into the mirror of their leadership. The image reflected helps determine the core of our existence and what we desire to accomplish.

Look intently. Examine beyond the surface. Make the changes needed. Lead with purpose based upon our true reflection.

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” John F. Kennedy

Generally speaking, two of the most important words in any language are “thank you.”

We live in a world often characterized by entitlement. While the youth are quickly identified by this thought, there needs to be consideration to where they learned it.

The age of entitlement influences everyone. We feel we have the right. After all, we are special, therefore entitled to receive. Others should want to give.

We could spend numerous posts discussing the topic and all the consequences of this mindset, but this is not the purpose of today’s thought.

The thought today is an exhortation to consider the people who make a difference in our lives and express appreciation.

Whether a parent, child, friend, teacher, coach, spiritual leader, or someone else, take a moment today to call, write a note, or go to them and thank them for the difference their influence has made in our lives.

We might be surprised at the difference it makes in their lives to do so.

In a recent class on sermon preparation and presentation, students were critiquing each other on their thesis statements. Words are a poor substitute to describe the beauty and power of the experience.

One student described it as “one brain with all these components working together.”

Witnessing students help each other in determining how the key words, context, and meaning fed into the thesis of the text for their lessons was nothing short of a blessing.

The excitement level in the room was…well, exciting. Students were thankful to have others helping them and a feeling of understanding and growth demonstrated the value felt by the opportunity to help others.

Being there and sharing in that moment added to the multiple reasons why we teach. It was also a reminder of why leaders need to work at promoting the same.

Too often, teaching / leading becomes uni-directional. The path of learning or following is limited to listening and doing.

Learning among adults, however, occurs a greater levels when a multi-directional approach is used, allowing each individual to contribute to the learning process.

When done properly, the result is incredible.

It is basic. It is where we look first. It is the motive behind the action. It causes hesitation. It can be frustrating, but it all comes down to the bottom line.

What is the bottom line in our leadership?

Are our goals self-serving, or are we striving to bring about what is best eternally for the souls of others?

Do we make decisions because it is going to give us an advantage for our career and future, or because it will better equip someone else?

Is there an agenda behind our actions, or a simplistic, pure love for the betterment of God’s kingdom?

When we study various subjects, are we striving to learn the truth, or find a way to justify our position?

I wish there was an easier way to reach the bottom line, but there is not. Personally, I do not particularly like answering these questions, but it must be done.

As spiritual leaders, we have to ask hard questions, examine ourselves honestly, admit mistakes, act Christ-like, and pray for God’s strength to do what is right. This is why it’s called the bottom line!

By its basic definition, an analysis involves a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

An analysis is further described by words such as: examination, investigation, survey, exploration, inspection, evaluation, research, and probe.

These words provide an additional angle to an approach needed in the process of analysis. The challenge lies in knowing how to use this approach in connection to our leadership.

Concerning leadership, analysis is most closely associated with evaluation. A formative evaluation needs to be completed entering into any plan. A summative evaluation must then be done when the goal is reached to determine what can be learned for future development.

Along the way, periodic evaluation is done to regulate specific actions to adjust or modify course direction to achieve the desired goal(s).

An analysis of the program assists leaders in determining key components in the development of the work and strategies for achievement, along with building on the smaller victories to celebrate success on the way to the goal(s).

Leaders need to keep an approach to analysis close in preparing for each level of the plan: beginning, middle, and end.

Never make a promise you cannot keep. This thought holds true to every area of life: work, marriage, parenting, and spiritual leadership.

The word promise is a key thought throughout scripture. On Pentecost, Peter referred to the benefits of obeying the gospel as a “promise for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Paul spoke of Gentiles being “strangers to the covenants of promise.” He later wrote concerning the power of the gospel to make the “Gentiles fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.”

God made a promise by swearing with an oath, to both Abraham and David, concerning the coming of Jesus.

The writer of the book of Hebrews uses the promise made to Abraham as foundational to understanding God’s promise to us, and it is impossible for God to lie.

Because of God’s promise, our spiritual leadership has purpose. We are leading souls to Christ to receive a promise made by our God, an eternal promise worth giving and living our life to receive.

“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?” W. Clement Stone

Occasionally, a thought comes along that is powerful enough to stand on its own. Today’s thought seems to be one of those thoughts.

Considering the influence of our environment is interesting and challenging. On one hand, the type of work environment we choose can provide the encouragement and opportunity that make for stepping stones to great success.

On the other hand, our choice of work environments can shackle us in our own growth. Instead of spreading our wings and soaring to new heights of development, we are hindered from moving into areas that promote progress.

The choice is ours to make, but be cautious. Once the choice is made it can be extremely difficult to alter the course of what unfolds. Take a moment and consider the consequences of our decisions. With a little forethought, everything can be different.

When the depths of discouragement engulf us, we only want to find the strength to endure and make the right decisions.

The answer is not always about knowing what scripture says because simply knowing scripture does not help when the heart is in a dark place.

Likewise, it is not always about surrounding ourselves with friends because friends provide little comfort when our desire is to be alone.

Where does the strength come from to go on? How can we pull everything together that we might continue to move forward?

Find a way to express feelings and share the burden with someone. One of the most helpful avenues to find strength is through expression, which can take numerous forms: writing, singing, talking, physical activity, and more.

Remember God’s goodness and trust He knows our plight. An area that provides strength is our memory. The ability to remember is one of God’s precious gifts. While we can often remember the negative side of life, we can also remember God’s providential blessings. He will see us through.

These two ideas are a foundation for gaining the strength needed to go on.