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.

To lead the most unlikely, we have to see the unseen, or as they are often described, the invisible. What do I mean by invisible?

The invisible are people we cannot see. Yes, but why?

Perhaps it is the color of their skin, the type of clothes they wear, the home where they live (or lack thereof), the way they smell, of perhaps the lack of personal hygiene.

Maybe we do not want to see because we are afraid of the responsibility.

The possibility exists that we cannot see because of preconceived ideas. After all, they made their own choices, right? Why don’t they just get a job?

Have we ever pulled up to a stop sign / light and someone is standing with a sign asking for help? Do we look at them? Do we turn our head acting as if no one is there? Do judgmental thoughts run through our mind?

Before we start thinking yes, but…I am not talking about them or their motives. I am talking about you and me.

It is difficult to lead those who are invisible to us. Think about it!

Several thoughts surround the definition of this word. While a common idea involves a form of competition, the most relevant definition of a challenge describes a task or situation that tests someone’s abilities.

When dealing with leadership two primary thoughts should be considered.

1) Leaders need to be challenged themselves. We must find ways to test our abilities to strengthen the character of our leadership providing followers with the best quality of leadership.

2) Leaders must challenge others. The idea is to present tasks or situations where the abilities of followers is tested to produce growth on a personal and group level.

People arise to what is expected of them. If little or nothing is expected, then little or nothing is given. However, experience has proven that when leaders provide encouragement and a level of expectation, then followers come through.

I have seen this happen financially and spiritually.

The challenge for leaders is to learn how to develop the type of discipline to strengthen their own leadership and know followers well enough to use their abilities to achieve growth within the church.

“If the rate of change inside an organization is less than the rate of change outside the organization…their end is in sight.” Jack Welch

Change can be an ugly word and, if done improperly, can bring the end by itself.

While change is necessary, we should remember not all change is good.

Change is essential in our relationship with God. The Bible uses a different word – repent – but the definition is the same…change.

Change begins in the mind. Until we have the information to explain the need for the change, any attempts to bring change are futile.

Change in the mind is followed by change of action. Once we understand the need for the change, our actions should reflect the benefit of such knowledge. If not, one would question if we really understand the need.

The first challenge facing leaders is understanding how to communicate the need for change and implementing it timely.

The second challenge is to make sure the change inside keeps up in an appropriate way with the change outside.

Doing so will ensure success and prevent the end.

As we complete this series, a key area when following a blueprint is the need for a good team working together to reach the desired end.

A leader is one who is leading a team in one form or another.

All the benefits to leading and working together as a team cannot be listed in one post, but here are a few to consider.

1) More work can be achieved more quickly when working together as a team.

2) Each person on the team can focus on using their abilities for the good of the team.

3) Everyone can use their abilities more efficiently in a team.

4) Ideas are abundant when several work together.

5) Opportunities for encouragement are greater when working as a team.

In construction, the people who specialize in foundations, plumbing, framing, sheet rock (hanging and finishing), painting, trimming, and interior design are all needed to make the project just right.

We find the same within the church. It takes those who specialize in cooking, cleaning, teaching, preaching, singing, praying, serving, shepherding, and the list goes on.

When everyone is involved, working together, the result is growth!

Recently, I was reading material involving outreach to those considered “less fortunate.” I have heard prayers for those “less fortunate than ourselves.” I will let you decide how to define this term.

One specific article discussed a church involved in a transformation in its membership, and the result was due to the prayer of the leadership.

The prayer was one of a simple nature: “Lord, lead us to those that nobody else wants.” Imagine the response when one by one several, that might be classified as “undesirable,” began showing up.

If we believe the gospel is for all, then are we working to see that all have opportunity to not just hear the gospel, but see it in our actions?

The path is not going to be an easy one to walk. However, leaders are not called to lead only those who are lovable, but those who are not-so-lovable also.

Take a moment to read through the gospels and notice the number of references to the outreach of Jesus. Who are these people? Why did He reach out to them? What was the result?

Are we listening?

A skill-set involves the range of abilities of an individual. Leaders should demonstrate this range of abilities to assist them in leading others.

From a spiritual perspective, followers need leaders with the skill-sets to aid them in recognizing the vision and achieving the goals.

A couple of facts to remember about skill-sets.

1) Every leader has a skill-set(s).

2) Some skill-sets are natural. Others are and can be learned.

3) Leaders must continually work on developing and maintaining their skill-set(s).

4) The greater the skill-set(s), the greater potential for strong leadership.

What skill-sets are needed to lead others in a spiritual direction? A study of people who are men and women of faith, i.e. those listed in Hebrews 11, will provide a great starting point for learning the skill-sets most helpful for leadership.

When leaders develop and use these skill-sets, there will always be a willingness to follow. An added bonus is that these type of leaders encourage leadership development for others.

The plan is to focus on one final area attacking the church and robbing Christians of their faith. The area of concern is “apathy and indifference.”

The news of today is old by tomorrow and forgotten by the following day. We are bombarded with so many incredible changes, and they occur so quickly there is not an accurate measurement of time to gauge them.

As a result, because we are easily bored with all the events that come and go, we reach a point we do not care, or it does not matter.

What is the next best thing? What is the fastest speed we can get? What is the latest fashion? Who cares?

When we feel we cannot keep up, we can even become spiritually apathetic and indifferent to all that surrounds us.

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges for leaders today is to guard against these two areas. Apathy and indifference destroy faith and the fire for serving God.

When we care about the people and events around us, we work to protect others from this spiritual tragedy. Let us rise up!