Potential is often a word tossed around concerning the possibility of something occurring if the right conditions or circumstances are in place.

It is also used regarding the capacity of someone to become or develop into something in the future.

The challenge for leaders is to determine an individual’s potential and the potential of the congregation where they serve.

Three basic areas exist when considering ways to determine potential.

The first area is actions. One of the best ways to determine potential is to examine the actions of the past. What has been done by the individual or congregation over the past five or ten years that lays a foundation for the future?

Another area is abilities. An individual or congregation cannot grow beyond their abilities. These abilities can change with training and practice, but considering the abilities that exist is a second key to determining potential.

The third is attitude. With the right attitude, very little is impossible. When a positive attitude exists and the determination to achieve the goal, the potential is unlimited.

Potentially speaking, leaders should examine these areas and set goals for the future.

These few words begin the famous statement of Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi. After both women lose their husbands, Ruth willingly follows Naomi. She concludes by saying, “…and your God, my God.”

The spiritual influence developed within families is powerful. It is sad to consider homes where parents intentionally, or unintentionally, forsake the opportunity to influence their children with a godly foundation.

The world is hard and cruel on children growing up. The absence of God in many locations where our children are influenced complicates the problem further.

The home, however, should be a place where we have opportunity as parents to provide refuge and focus on the presence of God.

Children should see parents model the example of Christlikeness. They should learn how a Christian husband treats his wife and a wife her husband.

Home is where children learn the meaning of submission to authority and witness parental example. They should never hear parents speak ill of the authorities of the land and certainly not the church.

Where we go, our children will go. Our home should leave our children concluding, “…and your God, my God.”

“Practice makes perfect” was a common expression when growing up. Regardless of the application to academics or sports, the idea expresses the need to do it over and over again, until the art is just right.

The level of perfection may be subjective to each individual, however, the need for practice must be a part of our growth and development as leaders.

Olympic athletes are groomed from a very young age. The drills, routines, or exercises are perfected through hours of practice every day. Their life is dedicated for one purpose, performing for those few minutes without giving way to pressure.

Doing, action, application, and preparation are terms associated with this week’s word. No longer are we talking about theory, but method. Here is where the rubber meets the road and where the details are worked out for implementation.

Certain qualities of a leader may actually be inherent, but one thing is for sure, developing the ability to lead must be worked on continually.

We need to be focused, dedicated, diligent, and steadfast to the one purpose that God calls us for, and lead others for His cause.

A recent documentary in 2013, “Inside Chipotle,” highlighted a very important area regarding leadership. Managers in the company are promoted on the bases of how they develop leaders among their employees.

The concept of leaders developing leaders is a highly known principle in most all leadership materials. John Maxwell states, “To grow, lead followers. To multiply, lead leaders.” This why the need for mentors is an important part of each Monday’s post.

How amazing would it be for spiritual leaders to consider the benefit to them when involved in developing other leaders?

Instead of being consumed with the fear of being out-performed, shown-up, or otherwise replaced, imagine the development of a company where leaders were constantly grooming others to lead.

Imagine the growth that would occur within the church.

Biblically, this principle is emphasized in several places. Jesus demonstrated this in developing the apostles for the task of evangelizing the world.

Paul instructs older men to set an example of a godly life and older women are to teach younger women matters of the home (Titus 2:1-5).

We influence others everyday. Let us mentor them to lead.

“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.” Author Unknown

The reality of bad things happening is inevitable. No one is immune from the negative, discouraging, or bad that occurs, even if it is simply perspective.

However, regardless of one’s perspective, the choice of what is done when these events happen is what makes the difference to the impact on life.

If difficulties define us, we tend to only focus on the drudgery of life and the poor hand we have been dealt; “woe is me.”

If difficulties destroy us, then life becomes little more than existence. Nothing is worth talking about or doing.

If difficulties strengthen us, we are better prepared to help others who face the same challenges and we are better equipped for the next difficulty that may come our way.

We should not seek difficulties, but if they come, let us always use the opportunity to face them in such a way to better prepare us to lead.

In a techno world that measures speed by the nanosecond, the value of time becomes a matter of perspective.

What value would one minute hold for you and me to speak one more time to a loved one who has passed away?

How much value would we place on one minute if it meant missing a flight or scheduled appointment?

Would one minute mean more if we knew it meant missing an accident?

When we sit around doing nothing, the minutes pass by quite leisurely and we give little thought to them.

If we are waiting on and anticipating the arrival of friends and loved ones, or a special day, that one minute can seem like an eternity.

We have all heard and read lessons about the value of time. I encourage us, especially from a leadership perspective, to realize that every single minute is a gift from God.

The treasure connected to that one minute can make the difference in helping someone make decisions of eternal consequence.

The value of one minute is worth what we put into it, even if it is the first minute of eternity.

One of, if not, the greatest challenge facing biblical leaders involves the uncompromising conviction of truth.

This moment becomes critical, not during times of comfort, but when difficulties of a physical, social, or financial nature press in on the well-being of leaders.

The moment of truth is not measured by what a leader hopes, desires, or thinks might be needed.

The moment of truth is measured by what a leader does, the stand that is taken, and the demonstration of character when it is not popular with the majority.

The time comes in the life of every person when they must decide how they are going to act or react to the environment or circumstances before them.

In that moment, the decision that is made determines the effectiveness of each leader.

No pleasure, monetary prize, popularity, or status of prestige is worth compromising the truth and the principles of character that stand behind it.

Leaders are needed who hold to and lead by the truth delivered by God to the world.

Allow the moment of truth to be a definition of true leadership.

A number of significant words are associated with the word of the week, the primary of which is reliant. Spiritual leaders understand the need to rely upon God. They are dependent upon His guidance, direction, strength, and provisions as they lead others.

Spiritual leaders are also aware of the fact that followers are also dependent upon them to provide the same.

Guidance provides advice and instruction for the conduct and behavior of life.

Direction shows the way, primarily the way to an eternal home with God.

Strength is needed to get up and keep moving in the right direction as it connects to the goal.

Provisions are given to continue the journey and receive nourishment along the way, even when all else fails.

These four areas are all directly related to the dependence that is associated with our relationship with God and those who fill the role of leading God’s people.

The role must never be taken lightly. It is critical to building a solid foundation that supplies all of us with the basic components to our growth in relationship with God.

“No matter what stage of development, we need spiritual companions – mentors and guides, friends and peers along the journey – in order to flourish over a lifetime of godly service” (Reese and Loane, Deep Mentoring, 179).

The need for mentoring should be obvious. Considering the nature of Jesus’ mentoring, as it unfolds in the gospel of Matthew, is where we begin today.

Matthew uses an interesting word: behold. Matthew wants the reader to pay attention and observe. The genealogical record, activity of angels, fulfillment of prophecy, and the involvement of dreams are all significant to the claim of Jesus as the Christ.

The terms used to describe the involvement of Jesus as the Christ include shepherd, ruler, king, light, and healer.

However, the key is built upon the name, Immanuel – God with us, the powerful nature of His presence. The true nature of mentoring involves being present. If God left the glory of heaven to be with us, to shepherd, rule, provide light and heal, then we should also recognize that mentoring necessitates our being present and involved in the lives of those mentored.

“I want to live life in such a way that if a photograph were taken at random, it would be a cool photograph.” David Nicholls

We have no way of knowing the specific intent behind this thought, but the implication can be powerful to the way others see our leadership.

We are given an opportunity to live on the stage of life each day. Others are witnessing every move and word . Images are being imbedded in their minds, just like a photograph.

As they recall the days gone by, they remember these images and the impact left by them.

We do the same with others we see every day.

The question we need to ask ourselves is: what would the photograph others take of us look like?

Like most good photographs, there are times the perfect shot can only be taken in a moment of time. We may only have a moment for others to take that perfect picture that changes their lives forever.

Christians leaders must always let their light shine in such a way others can see their good works and glorify God.