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.

How many times have you heard someone refer to losing their focus? It seems to be more common with each day.

Specifically, when athletes fall short of achieving success, it is generally because they lost focus.

Leaders cannot afford to lose focus.

The challenge is determining where we place our focus. The world seems to be driven by the intent of distracting us from the goals we strive to achieve.

Distractions can take the form of financial problems, family issues, complications in health, tragedy, and numerous other areas.

This is not to suggest we ignore any of these areas when they occur. However, when distractions arise, we can learn from them and maintain our focus, or we can lose sight of our priorities.

Focus is a matter of choice.

People need leadership to help them maintain their focus. Spiritual leadership presents the choice of life or death. When our focus is on life we will appeal to others to make the right choice.

Amazingly, when we choose life, our focus enables us to handle the distractions with a gracious heart of gratitude.

While faith demonstrates an inner conviction of the mind, the second component of a father’s leadership is characterized by integrity. David provides a powerful commentary on integrity in Psalm 15.

The passage develops three Hebrew noun/verb participles: “walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart” (v. 2 emphasis added). The function of a noun/verb participle serves as a characteristic and an action. Therefore, integrity, righteousness, and truth describe who one is and what one does.

The Hebrew word, integrity, refers to “what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact” (BDB, 1977:1071). Integrity moves toward an application of the ethical uprightness of one wholly devoted to God (TWOT, 1999).

When integrity characterizes a father’s leadership, imagine the impact. When children look to their father and see an example of integrity, their leadership is worth following.

The strength of a father’s relationship with children is based on character that emulates God as our Father. The desire to speak and act with integrity portrays a desire for truth, followed by an ethical uprightness of a heart wholly and completely devoted to God.

“Curiosity, creativity, discovery and wonder; they aren’t traits of youth, they’re traits of learning. If you want to feel younger and you want to replicate the conditions of youth, do that.” Author Unknown

For centuries, people sought the fountain of youth. In some ways, the search continues, as countless numbers of people strive to eat healthy, exercise, and avoid risks. Others seek out plastic surgeons in an attempt to restore a youthful look.

Needless to say, no literal fountain exists. Imagine the disappointment of searching an entire lifetime, investing one’s savings, and exhausting every possible resource only to learn the secret to youth is not physical.

Today’s thought is interesting because it shares an idea replicating the conditions of youth through pursuing four simple traits associated with learning. Be a lifelong learner. Could it be that simple?

Promoting these traits as leaders can certainly revive a tired, worn-out, complacent, and apathetic atmosphere.

The joy of learning can turn people around to achieve great tasks. If we can find a way to revive this spirit within the church, imagine the impact on a society searching for youth.