The answer to this question may greatly depend on what we want to achieve. The fact that success is defined in numerous ways increases the challenge of how we determine success in our lives.

As leaders within the spiritual setting, the ultimate determination of success will be made on the other side, at the throne of God.

Until then, however, there are some ways we can consider to determine success.

1) Having smart goals and plans to reach those goals is the foundation for success.

2) Continuing to grow and develop in relationship to God and others will always be a formula for success.

3) Using the truth of God’s word as the standard for our decisions results in success.

4) Assisting others in reaching their potential, and seeing they have the tools to do so, brings success.

5) Never allowing failure to be final will always bring success.

6) Knowing God…

I realize there are other ways to determine or define success, but if we can implement a few ideas from the beginning success will follow.

What motivates us? Success? Money? Security? Relationships? Power? Survival? Growth?

Whatever it is, we need to know the necessity of motivating others as a leader. Knowing how to motivate others involves knowing how to stimulate or excite action toward desired interests.

Reading through the New Testament provides a number of examples that help us learn the power of motivation, but not in the way one might think.

The motive for being first or greatest in the kingdom is about being a servant of all.

The motive for receiving is based on presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord.

The motive for being blessed is about giving to others, rather than receiving.

The motive for not forsaking our assembling is through exciting others to love and good works.

Our list could go on, but think about the spiritual leadership we are offering others. Are we motivating others toward the desired interests? Are we setting the example based on what motivates us in the same direction?

Here is where our leadership begins. We must be motivated to motivate others to an eternal home.

I appreciate ideas for leadership and today’s post is no exception. Recently, I talked about Standing On Sacred Ground when a friend mentioned the idea of leaders standing on scared ground. The thought raised two questions.

Why is leadership so scary? The answers to this question are abundant. Consider the responsibility of leading others spiritually with eternity in mind. Knowing that leaders deal with answering questions pertaining to goals, plans, maintaining morale, personality conflicts, providing resolution, accountability to God, etc., it does not take long to determine why the ground upon which leadership stands can be a scary place.

How do we move from scared ground to sacred ground? Spiritual leadership is a God-given role and He will help us overcome whatever challenges we face. Spending time in prayer will help us reach a more sacred footing rather than standing in a position of being scared. Studying individuals throughout the Bible, such as in Hebrews 11, who were able to overcome with God’s help will help us as we approach sacred ground knowing we are not alone.

It may not seem like much, but it is a start and sometimes getting started is half the battle.

Are we dying from the destination disease? What is it?

This is the final week for some of the students at the Bible Institute. Over the past 47 years several students have graduated the program.

It is not unique to any educational institution for students to face the destination disease upon graduation. The idea involves completing a goal and thinking it is the end, no need to study anymore, to work, or to grow. Basically, this is the top and nothing more needs to be done.

This is a dangerous place to be. Why?

One loses creativity. There is plateau of knowledge. The passionate fire of learning is snuffed out.

In the end, a form of mental death occurs.

The question we should consider is how can we avoid this disease? Based on The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, three ideas come to mind.

Be content with what you have, but never who or where you are.

Remember there are no shortcuts.

Always do the extra credit.

The destination disease can infect anyone. We need to work constantly at keeping the passion alive in life to be a student.

The pursuit of excellence should be on every leader’s mind. If leaders do not excel, it becomes increasingly difficult for followers to excel.

Biblically, we find the idea of excellence used frequently. The apostle Paul commended the church at Thessalonica and urged them to “excel still more.”

Perhaps the most significant use of excellence is found in the writings of Peter. Christians are instructed to keep their behavior excellent among the Gentiles. Without too much detail, the idea involves Christian character in the world.

The definition of the word used by Peter surrounds the idea of conduct contributing to the salvation of others.

The thought is powerful in light of the example of excellence leaders must demonstrate. We must look at the conduct of our life and ask, does my manner of life contribute to the salvation of others? If the answer is no, then we have a responsibility to change. Spiritual leaders have been entrusted with the souls of others. We must pursue a standard of excellence in order to lead the lost to Christ and aid Christians in reaching a dedicated level of faithfulness.

One of the most impressive areas of leadership does not involve what has been accomplished. Rather, it involves our legacy.

Chris Musgrove said, “Success is not measured by what you are leaving to, but what you are leaving behind.”

Thinking of all the accomplishments of leadership, nothing will be more important than leaving a legacy.

Among the ideas regarding legacy, perhaps the most significant is the need to live the legacy we want to leave.

There will not be a second chance to leave it when we are gone.

Drawing near to the end of life is too late. We must begin living it now. We must be what we want others to be.

Faith, trust, integrity, credibility, understanding, patience, and a good work ethic are but a few.

In spiritual leadership, the idea of our legacy needs to be a greater priority. Ultimately, it comes down to recognizing the need to duplicate our leadership.

John Maxwell is famous for saying, “If you want to grow, lead followers. If you want to multiply, then lead leaders.”

When it is all said and done, what will we leave behind?

Does leadership determine culture, or does culture determine leadership? There is a great deal of controversy over the answer.

I have examined characteristics of culture from each decade since 1920. I have also looked at the president who served the most time during each decade to our current day.

The conclusion is split. There are times when it appears culture determined the leadership. However, it would appear at times, leadership determined the culture.

I also found the definition of leadership changed from one decade to the next depending on the culture and leadership.

This is also true Biblically. When Joshua led Israel, his influence led God’s people to remain loyal and faithful. However, we find the mindset of Israel, at a divisive point in their history, selecting Jeroboam as king. The result was spiritually devastating.

While we may never have a definitive answer, one thought is clear. God intends spiritual leaders to influence the culture and not the reverse. The task before us is to be the influence in our world. I pray we arise to and accept the challenge with courage and boldness. Eternity matters.

Jesus asked this question on more than one occasion. Generally, His question was asked of the apostles. Did they struggle with doubt in who they were or who Jesus was? Was Jesus asking the question to challenge their fears?

No one is exempt. All of us, at one point or another, will encounter situations creating fear and/or doubt. In those moments we should ask, where is our faith?

The need for faith will arise in the moment of trial.

The strength of our faith is tested in times of controversy and challenge.

The devotion of our faith will be determined by our endurance.

To lead spiritually requires a strong faith. Our faith cannot be in ourselves. We cannot rely solely upon our own strength and abilities.

Regardless of the circumstance, the outcome will be decided by our faith.

Where is our faith?

“Earn your leadership every day.” Michael Jordan

The thought expressed here is extremely important, yet leaves us with an important question to answer: how? How can we earn our leadership every day? While it is not an exhaustive list, here are a few ideas to consider.

1) Ensure your life is consistent with your leadership.

2) Take responsibility for every word, decision and action.

3) Lead in the fullness of core values.

4) Align priorities with goals.

5) Know what is worth dying for, and then live for it.

6) Help others reach their potential…always!

7) Learn to be an active listener.

8) Show others there is more to life than just “being right.”

9) Demonstrate the value of respect for yourself and others.

10) Understand the difference between image and reputation.

If we can begin applying a few suggestions, then our leadership will have immeasurable benefits to others.

The leadership of Moses is one worth more time in study than we can give in one post. However, the introduction of Moses to God at the burning bush is a wonderful read.

As Moses approaches the burning bush he is told to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. I love the idea seen in an ordinary bush becoming extraordinary because of God’s divine activity. His presence made this ground upon which Moses stood sacred.

God continues to do the same throughout the Bible, even today. His presence takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary with divine activity.

Twelve men: fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and others who were ordinary, “common” people, yet with God working through them, all of them became extraordinary.

Today, we need to also recognize the extraordinary nature of God working through the events and people in our lives to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. When these “burning bushes” exist, we need to stop and realize the sacred ground upon which we are standing. Pay attention to the activity of God that is shaping our leadership.