Leadership congruence makes a powerful difference in the direction of any organization, especially the Lord’s church.

Ideas associated with congruence include compatibility, agreement, balance, and consistency. Examining each of these four words helps establish the significance of leadership congruence.

Compatibility among leaders indicates an ability to work together without conflict. Please do not think this means problems or disagreements are eliminated, rather the ability to avoid the destructive nature of conflict builds congruence.

Agreement is shared by leaders when the foundation upon which decisions are made comes from the standard of God’s infallible word. Pride, opinion, and agenda driven approaches to decision making destroy congruence.

Balance is one of the most important words in leadership. Leaning to the left or the right creates the potential of moving too far away from the center God provides as the balance for leadership congruence.

Consistency is often claimed to be a virtue, and that sentiment is true. Inconsistency promotes a level of hypocrisy that attacks the congruence leadership needs to help others reach the goal(s).

These few ideas provide a beginning point of consideration for strengthening leaders.

Faith, integrity, and love characterized our leadership posts over the last three weeks. Today, as we close this series, our focus turns to an area of foundational magnitude.

If there is one component needed to characterize leadership in the home, it is desire. Leadership requires the desire to lead, to develop the character necessary to lead.

We possess a tendency to do what we want to do. When that desire exists, nothing stands in the way. No mountain is too high to climb, no valley too low to walk through, no obstacle too great to overcome. When we want to do something, we find a way to get it done.

The opposite is also true. When we do not want to do something, it does not matter the consequence(s) of failing, or the reward(s) of succeeding, we will not get it done.

The same is true in the home. Fathers need that one foundational component to excel in areas of faith, integrity, and love. When we desire to lead as God planned for the home, nothing will stand in the way of our achieving His plan.

“Successful people keep their eye on the goal. If they encounter obstacles, instead of focusing on the obstacle, they find a way around it by keeping their goal in mind. It is a mindset of courage which makes it easier to pursue success.” Dr. Anil Kumar Sinha

Three key ideas stem from today’s thought: goals, focus, and courage.

Goals are essential to success. We need short- and long-term goals. Long-term goals provide the big picture of the future, twenty, thirty, or forty years down the road.

Short-term goals provide an opportunity to break the big picture into pieces that allow us to enjoy victories along the way. We build morale and sustain the momentum to reach the long-term goals.

Regardless of the short- or long-term goals, we must keep our eye on the goal, focusing on what is essential to success.

Courage is a fitting conclusion. Courage is more about a decision made when needed than a quality possessed. When the time comes, we need leaders with the courage to stand and lead.

Our prayer should be for the church to implement all three.

Leadership is not a located idea. Leadership affects the world. Men and women are found in leadership roles everywhere around the globe.

Leadership is universal in application and is not limited to race, gender, age, or position.

Anyone can lead from anywhere.

We must continually learn from others about leadership. When we learn about the sacrifice, dedication, passion, and attitude of servanthood demonstrated by others, we should be encouraged to do the same. We are reminded of how important it is these roles are filled.

Examining the leadership associated with the Extension Program at Bear Valley Bible Institute highlights one powerful quality these leaders share that teaches us more than anything else: compassion for souls.

They give their lives to prepare others to preach the gospel of Jesus.

They dedicate their time to the work of evangelism.

They love their people and want them to be saved.

They work to serve, not to be served.

The example provided by these men demonstrates the character needed for those who learn under them. These men are leading from anywhere and everywhere around the globe.

Consider the following thought expressed by Andy Stanley concerning the teaching of Jesus: “He either engaged or enraged, but nobody fell asleep.”

Engaging people is vital to the role of leadership. A host of words are associated with the definition of this week’s word: capture, catch, grab, attract, captivate, and so forth. These ideas are significant to the necessity of our role as an engaging leader.

Leaders must hold the attention of those who follow, engaging them in the direction to be taken.

Engaging followers involves three critical components:

1) Speak to people’s needs. Without understanding the needs of others, how can we engage them to follow? People desire to follow someone who knows and addresses their needs.

2) Establish a connection. Relating to others on the same level is engaging. An attempt to speak above or beneath someone prevents engagement. In fact, it hinders engagement.

3) Ask the right questions. Often times, people are disengaged because they were never asked the right questions. Ask questions that engage others.

More could be said, but these three suggestions will make a difference when striving to engage others.

The final characteristic of a father’s leadership in the home is love. One of the most misunderstood, misused, and abused words in the English language is the proverbial “game-changer” when considering a father’s leadership.

Four different Greek words translate as “love” in the English language. We will focus on one for our purposes. Love seeks the highest good of someone else, putting their needs above our own (BDAG 2000).

When children see this kind of love in their father, following is an easier step. Consider the following:

First is a love for God. When fathers demonstrate love, they emulate who God is and provide a needed example for their family.

Second is a love for the children’s mother. One of the greatest gifts a father can give his children is to love their mother. Paul illustrated this as an example of Christ and His church (Ep. 5:25).

Third, a father’s leadership also involves a love that disciplines, a discipline that understands the value of training/teaching as well as punishment/consequences.

A father’s leadership is key to the health of the home and future of his children.

One primary lesson of leadership involves knowing our greatest Ally. A recent inquiry challenged the use of this word because, as the inquiry indicated, this word is associated with someone who stands beside us to help. Exactly!

Leadership is not about trying to make things happen on our own. The minute we try to go at it alone, we are destined for failure.

When David faced Goliath he knew the One who was there to help him. Israel was cowering in fear because they had forgotten. Goliath came to the battle with his ability to fight. He was a warrior armed with a javelin, sword, and spear. However, David came with the living God of Israel on his side. If we were to ask, “Who wins?,” well, it seems obvious.

Do we as spiritual leaders know our greatest Ally? As long as we come to the battle with the living God on our side, we cannot fail.

Paul reminds us of this truth in his letter to the church at Rome (Rom. 8:31-39).

The lesson is powerful in application if we live with this confidence.

“Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: ‘Are you ready?'” Johnny Carson

Carson’s thought touches on several important areas we could discuss for weeks.

Think about the idea of success and the implication of talent’s influence on the level of success desired by the individual.

Consider the significance of being in the right place at the right time. Will the opportunity of time and place play a key role in determining success?

Each of these thoughts deserve time to discuss, but our focus today is on the critical need for self-examination and asking: “Are we ready?”

Life is filled with a complexity of issues, practices, and opportunities for either success or failure. Regardless of what happens on either end of the spectrum and anywhere in between, the key is being ready. Are we ready?

The role of leadership within an organization exists on the basis of preparation, being ready. A variety of areas present challenges that require consideration of how to be prepared when they occur.

Are we ready?

We are familiar with the nature of elevators. Certain elevators move with ease and give us confidence in reaching our destination. However, there are elevators that leave us wishing we could take the stairs.

Elevators are convenient, less taxing on the body, and much quicker.

How wonderful would it be if we could take an elevator to the top of leadership? Think about it. The mind and body would be less stressed. We would not have to go through the process of strategically putting one foot in front of the other, even when we are tired. Initial thoughts indicate an increased convenience for such a journey.

We may wish it worked this way, but it never has and never will.

Reaching the top quickly, or with the least amount of stress, will not make us leaders. We are shaped by the experiences throughout the journey. We learn invaluable lessons, lessons to help us deal with the various issues facing leadership.

There are no quick and easy ways to the top of leadership. Work is involved, and the more diligence we exercise, the greater our leadership.

Our world seems to thrive on the use of initials. One of the most familiar is PC. Interestingly, these initials represent several ideas from “politically correct” to “personal computer.”

Organizations are often identified by initials: CIA, FBI, UPS, USPS, and many more.

Positions within the administration of all organizations support the use of initials: CEO, CFO, EVP, VP and list goes on.

The texting world also exists on the foundation of initials: ROFL, LOL, Np, Ty and, again, the list is unending.

While we tend to be mesmerized by the use of initials, perhaps the use of a few initial combinations will benefit our development as leaders.

CIA: Consistency In Action. Nothing supports the development of leaders more than consistency in their character.

CEO: Courageously Engineering Opportunities. Waiting for growth to occur is not a good plan. Leaders must skillfully and artfully arrange for growth.

ROFL: Resist Obstacles Facilitating Lethargy. Leaders cannot afford to become lethargic. A sluggish and apathetic mindset will hinder growth.

These are a few ideas to consider, hopefully, with a realization toward a necessity for leadership growth.