The key thought behind this week’s word is “analysis.” By definition, to explicate is to analyze and develop in detail, often with the intent of finding and giving meaning.

Additionally, there are a number of other words associated with this definition, specifically clarification. The intent of explicating an idea or principle is to bring simplicity in order to make it comprehensible.

One of the greatest challenges to any area of leadership involves communication. When communication lacks clarity, the result brings confusion and frustration. How can leaders explicate vision, mission, and values?

Use easy to understand language. Too often, leaders use terminology that others do not comprehend when trying to communicate important messages.

Be careful about assumptions. Leaders who assume others know what they are talking about generally make a grave mistake.

Keep the message concise. Too many words can be as detrimental as too many “run to the dictionary words.” Avoid sharing everything we know. Less is more.

Remember the old K.I.S.S. acronym: Keep it short and sweet!

These are just a few ideas to consider when trying to explicate matters of vision, mission, and values as leaders.

Once we take a step down (humility), the next step in the climb up the leadership mountain is one that looks outward toward others, “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

The idea behind the words of Christ here is mourning over the sin of others. This passage reminds us of Paul’s words to the church at Corinth: “who is led into sin without my intense concern?” (2 Co. 11:29)

Spiritual leaders are focused on others, it is an outward position of seeking the best for others above self. No one knew or demonstrated this better than Jesus. From giving up the glory He had with the Father to giving up His life on the cross, Jesus was concerned about the sins of the world.

Consider the impact on people around us when we demonstrate concern for the sinful activity that permeates our world and their lives.

The task is not easy, but one that makes a lasting and eternal difference. Once we take the first step, recognizing our need for God, the next step is our concern for the relationship of others with God.

“F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.” Zig Ziglar

The idea presented demonstrates what we often think about concerning fear. Fear causes us to do what we would not normally do and hinders us from doing what we should do.

Fear is a powerful motivator, but how do we channel this emotion in ways that will harness its power to move us to rise instead of run?

1. Recognize what we fear. Are we afraid of failure or success? Do we fear rejection or acceptance? Is it the known or the unknown that causes us to be afraid?

2. Have the right expectations. Expecting perfection creates a fear of falling short. Expecting the least leaves us with the fear of being overwhelmed. Proper expectations strengthen us.

3. Seek healthy communication. At its height is when fear needs to discussed. Talk with those who can help deal appropriately with our fear and guide us in overcoming it.

4. Remember God is our ally. Knowing who God is, and that He fights for us to win each battle, minimizes fear.

Sadly, words which often characterize much of a society or culture begin to characterize the church. Examining the world and culture we live in reveals the problems of indifference and lethargy.

Our leadership must find ways to prevent and overcome these characteristics in the church.

What does this really mean? It means…

We must find ways to motivate one other to dig into God’s word.

We must increase the desire in the hearts of God’s people to assemble in worship.

We must fan the flame of enthusiasm in reaching out to others with the gospel.

We must energize the creativity of brothers and sisters in Christ to serve.

We must strengthen the hands of God’s faithful.

We must lift up the hearts of those who are weak and struggling.

Leaders can make an incredible difference by recognizing a few simple ways to change the direction of the church and ultimately the world.

When leaders see the opportunity and do something about it, preparing ourselves to make the needed improvements, persevering through the challenges, we overcome indifference and lethargy.

Creativity can be frightening. Creativity brings change, and change makes us uncomfortable.

While change is Biblical (e.g. repentance), we do not always understand change and, thus, stifle creativity.

We associate change with a departure from Scripture, adding to or taking away. We often describe it as binding or loosing where God has not.

Interestingly, people who have taken such action do not recognize their departure from the truth.

Is it possible for leadership to encourage creativity without the fear of this kind of change? Yes.

Create a “safe” environment. People need to know it is okay to discuss, and even disagree, where there is no violation of Scripture. At the first sign of disapproval, creativity will stop.

Equip people with the right tools. It is difficult for people to creatively develop ideas if they are ill equipped. However, if they know the tools are provided, creativity will soar.

Give heed to personal advice. If we want to encourage creativity, then we need to be careful about promoting our own ideas.

Remember, we are trying to help others to achieve success. Creativity can make the difference. Encourage it!

As a noun, a project is an individual or collaborative enterprise carefully planned and designed to achieve a particular aim.

As a verb, the idea is described as estimating or forecasting something on the basis of present trends, as well as, the force of moving something forward or outward.

Leadership perspective relates to both the noun and verb. Leaders are working in the area of an enterprise that must be carefully planned and designed. The type of planning and design we are talking about involves a strategy for seeking and saving the lost, and keeping the saved, saved. Often a cliché, we need to give serious thought to the project if we ever hope to achieve the aim.

The activity of leadership is also the needed force to influence others in a way that moves them forward and outward. The danger of moving backwards or standing still results in ultimate death of the project (noun). Leaders who know how to provide this kind of influence will always exude an example worth following.

Let us always project what we want to achieve in each project.

Of all the qualities and characteristics ascribed to leadership, there is one person who provided us with information to guide our climb up the leadership mountain. For the next few weeks we want to examine these steps.

The first step is really a step down: “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Leaders begin the climb with a step of humility, an emptying process of self. The idea is one of destitution, poverty, or an emptiness that forces one to look up to the one who can fill them with purpose, direction, and fulfillment.

When the quality of humility is seen by others, there is a genuineness that exists in the character of the individual that draws others to follow and emulate.

Developing this poverty in spirit is easier said than done. Recognizing who we are (and perhaps who we are not) and the need for complete dependency on God is a beginning point.

Once we stop working to make things happen on our own and trust God’s sovereign control, then we are taking the first step up the leadership mountain.

“The future is not a place we get to go, it’s a place we get to create.” Nancy Duarte

The direction of this thought takes numerous paths and the majority of them carry significant weight.

At some point in time, we all experience the uncertainty of the future. Perhaps a crystal ball would be nice to have on those occasions, but maybe not.

Considering the future as something we get to create changes everything about how we view the future. We can never know with certainty the unpredictability of events associated with tomorrow, next week, or next year, let alone five and ten years from now. We can, however, establish goals and make plans we get to create as each day unfolds.

Imagine the nature of our approach to leadership when we create a future that others are excited to participate in creating.

Working together enables us to build momentum that strengthens growth and development. When we relate this to the church, the magnitude of what can be paints a picture of the future that others desire to share. Now that is a place worth creating.

Businesses generally offer a raincheck for out-of-stock merchandise that is “on sale.” This process allows customers an opportunity to buy the merchandise at the sale price when restocked.

The benefit of this process builds loyalty between the customer and business.

Loyalty is one of the most vital characteristics of leadership. Leaders must be loyal to those they influence, but how do we build the kind of loyalty needed in leadership?

1. Demonstrate trust: The trust we have in God must be exemplified in our service. We must also learn to trust in others. Perhaps this is why Solomon taught of its importance.

2. Develop consistency and integrity: The decisions we make in leadership must be made on a standard of consistency and integrity. Without them, loyalty will be impossible.

3. Dedicate the heart: Dedication involves the highest level of commitment. We must be dedicated to God, others, and reaching the goal.

These are only three steps of many, but if we use them we can build a solid foundation for loyalty. There is no raincheck when it comes to leadership. Establishing loyalty is priority #1.

We seem to like the idea of rating performance, looks, ability, etc. Generally, we have a scale of 1 to 10. Somewhere in between we are able to communicate to others how well someone is doing based on a scale that reflects our opinion.

Consider the following: Who determines the scale? Does it differ from one person to another? Is there a consistent standard that allows for accurate evaluation?

We know the answers, but when we consider our leadership, how would we rate on a scale of 1 to 10?

Perhaps it would do us well to establish a consistent standard of evaluation to determine our leadership.

Until then, we should realize a couple of factors:

1. People are going to rate our leadership (whether we like it or not).

2. Our rating will be gauged by ability, decisions, relationships, and previous success.

3. We will give an account to God for our leadership.

4. The final measuring device will be God’s word.

Changing our rating is up to us. When we use God’s word, on a scale of 1 to 10, how will our leadership measure up?