Recently, I was given a graduation program from 1993. This was not just any graduation program, but my graduation program from the Bear Valley Bible Institute…20 years ago.

My mind was flooded with memories of the events surrounding the occasion. I looked a pictures reflecting days when I wondered if I would even see 20 more years and what I would be doing.

These pictures contained friends I endured long hours with in classroom lectures and library studies to complete assignments from one quarter to the next.

Some of these friends have since passed on to be with our Lord. There were pictures with my children at an age I now see in my grandchildren.

If you had asked me then if I would be where I am now, I could have only thought “I sure hope so.” Yet, I find myself missing the simplicity of days gone by.

I am reminded that life changes! During the history of these changes we need lead to with an anticipation of looking back 20 years from now knowing we fulfilled God’s will in our lives and in others.

How should help be defined? A quick look in the dictionary reveals a number of thoughts: making it easier (for someone) to do something by offering one’s services or resources; improve (a situation or problem) be of benefit to by assisting, serving, and the list goes on.

The challenge has never been a definition, but the application. There is a difference between helping and enabling. There is also a difference in how we perceive helping and the reality of our actions.

I am reminded of the proverb defining the contrast in giving someone a fish to feed them for a day and teaching them how to fish to feed them for life. Which one is really helping?

Our leadership needs to be based on the same idea. When we are striving to help someone, our efforts should be considered beyond the temporary need of the moment, lest we find ourselves placing a bandaid on an gaping wound.

Let us lead with the conviction of helping others long term, perhaps eternally. Here is where the legacy of our leadership will be determined.

One of the greatest needs in our world and yet one of the greatest challenges involves love. Without understanding God’s love for us we face an obstacle in how to lead others with love.

I say this because God loves us for who we are and where we are, unconditionally. Unconditional love is what introduces the challenge.

As Christians who grow and nurture our relationship with God we can easily lose sight of our past life and the expression of God’s love at the time when we were helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. In this condition, Paul tells us God demonstrates His love toward us.

Notice Paul did not say demonstrated, as in past tense. The word is present active showing that God demonstrates His love now and there is no assessment of it ever ending.

To lead others to the love of God, we must demonstrate the nature of God’s love to them.

We must show love even toward those who are not always the easiest to love. Is it easy? I cannot say it was for Christ, but He did so anyway. Therefore, I can do the same.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross

Our efforts in leading often have us trying to avoid or overcome the difficulties of life. I am not one who, personally, enjoys or anticipates the struggles, sufferings, and loss that can accompany life.

However, there is comfort in knowing there is a way out of these depths, and finding our way out brings a purifying process drawing us closer to God and stronger in our leadership.

Leaders must be able to appreciate the value of these challenges in life, developing a sensitivity and understanding that displays a compassionate and loving spirit.

When we demonstrate this type of concern for others, we are exemplifying a Christlike character that must be the foundation of our leadership.

Every individual and group will experience at least one, if not multiple, transitions. These transitions are not always life changing, but they can alter our lives in ways that will never leave us the same.

Transitions occur both physically and spiritually. As we grow into adulthood our physical and psychological development experiences several changes. Spiritually, when we commit our lives to the Lord we experience another transition, and this transition continues to move us forward in spiritual growth.

Transitions arise on an individual and congregational level.

How do we lead during times of transition in the lives of those who are following?

Recognizing a transition is developing is the first step in learning how to lead through it.

Accepting transitions as part of growth will help ease the tension that can develop.

Patience must be demonstrated toward others during the time of transition.

Remember the common good of the whole as changes are developing.

Keeping our focus on the goals will strengthen our determination to endure the transition.

If we will practice a few simple ideas as we face transitions, our leadership will help guide others through any situation.

Leaders must be concerned for the common good of all people.

Biblically, God’s people have always been charged with caring for the poor, widows, and orphans. More than 2,000 verses in the Bible touch on this subject.

Somehow, we need to consider how we are going to carry out God’s justice / righteousness in caring for these needs.

James is explicit: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27 italics mine).

I have heard the discussion regarding individual or congregational application. Let me say, regardless of the position, we are doing a very poor job of fulfilling it!!!!

We often excuse ourselves by allowing other organizations to assume this responsibility, as we throw a few dollars their way.

I am not taking anything away from the necessity of our spiritual concern for all people, but when our efforts to help the poor, widows and orphans are minimal, are we really leading them to the Lord?

It is time for leaders to lead all, especially the most unlikely.

Ambition involves a desire to achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work.

Defining ambition is not difficult. The difficulties arise when we consider where our ambition lies.

Are we ambitious to achieve financial security?

Is our ambition driven by receiving power and authority?

Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities?

Or, can we say our ambition has a spiritual focus?

Paul identified an ambition that was spiritually and eternally developed, because it was focused on pleasing the Lord.

When our leadership is about pleasing the Lord it changes our approach to every area of life.

Relationships within our families will be shaped by Biblical principles.

Our conduct on the job is influenced by a God-fearing attitude.

Approaching people who are outside of Christ is filled with a greater level of patience and compassion.

Beyond everything else, we worship with a greater understanding of the sovereignty of God.

When our leadership is driven by this kind of ambition the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

The spiritual challenges facing leaders today involve a contrast in understanding these two words.

On one hand there are those who allow their feelings to determine their faith. While on the other hand there are those whose faith determines their feelings.

At times the discussion is almost like determining which came first, the chicken or the egg.

However, the difficulties occur in the arena of feelings. Feelings are going to change. As we mature, grow in knowledge, experience new situations, and gain wisdom, our feelings will change. We can all recognize that we do not feel the same today as we did five years ago.

The other side of feelings is the fact they can deceive us. At some point in our lives, and maybe often, we may feel like we are doing the right thing because it feels right, yet we learn later it was not.

We need a foundation that will not change or deceive us. This is where faith finds its wings.

When we first build on faith, the appropriate feelings will follow. Leading on this basis will help others find the right foundation.

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” Kenneth Blanchard

I know the subject of influence is common when it comes to leadership. John Maxwell simply says, “Leadership is influence.”

The reason I feel the subject of influence is so critical to leadership is because we all influence others. Statistics indicate we influence a minimum of four people everyday.

The main consideration is what kind of influence are we exercising?

We need to be guarded with our influence because it effects the character, behavior and development of others. Our influence is going to make a difference for good or bad.

If we know we have opportunity to influence others in bringing them to Christ, or to influence Christians to remain faithful, should we not do so?

The time we have on earth is limited and fleeting quickly. Each day that goes by can never be regained or relived. Now is the best opportunity we have to ensure our influence for Christ.

I once heard “everyone brings happiness; some when they come and some when they leave.” Think about what this statement implies for our leadership.

There are times leaders are asked to leave, and times when they choose to leave. How a leader walks away determines the nature of how they will be remembered.

Shattered farewells leave everyone hurting when leadership walks away from responsibility.

Divisive farewells leave followers turned against one another.

Venomous farewells leave a feeling of animosity, anger, distrust, and a lack of direction.

Gracious farewells leave followers united with a greater dedication to achieve the established vision, goals and will of God strengthening the overall good of everyone.

At some point, we are going to say goodbye and when the time comes, we all have to decide the level of integrity and Christlike character we will demonstrate. Here are few tips.

Remember the greater good of followers.
Always accept responsibility for our own actions.
Be kind, never harsh or abrasive, no matter how unfairly treated.
Consider our Savior.

We are leaders, and how we lead when we leave makes a difference.