Epaphras is not a name that stands out when reading Scripture. Who is this man and why would he be a great Bible leader?

Epaphras is only found three times in the New Testament and two of the three in Colossians. The third location is in Philemon.

However, when we examine these three locations, we find the answer.

Epaphras was a beloved, fellow bondservant of Christ, indicating he was loved, faithful, and a devoted follower of Christ.

He is noted as a fellow prisoner in Christ, indicating he suffered persecution for the sake of Christ.

The text in Colossians 4 identifies Epaphras as one who labored earnestly (wrestled) in prayer on behalf of these Christians.

These three statements clearly indicate why he was a great Bible leader. There is also a great lesson here for leaders today.

We do not need to be well known in the brotherhood to be a great leader. We need to be faithfully devoted to Jesus, willing to suffer for our Savior, and one who is diligent in prayer on behalf of others.

It sure sounds like a great leader to me.

In the arena of communication, when writing a speech, sermon, article, or other medium, one key to effective communication is transitions.

Transitions are those sentences (written or spoken) that build the bridge between the various sections of our communication. These bridges make it easier for people to follow what we are trying to express.

There is more we could discuss regarding transitions, but I want us to think about the connection with spiritual leadership.

Our role as leaders is about transitions. We are building bridges in three areas.

One, we are building a bridge in relationships. Unless we are able to establish and maintain quality relationships, our transition to influence others in spiritual matters will not occur.

Two, we are building a bridge for future leaders. As long as we exist on this earth, there will be a need for leadership. We must make this transition smooth.

Three, we are building a bridge to eternity. Ultimately, the task before us is to help make the transition from the physical realm to the spiritual.

Are we building bridges with the right purpose and in the right direction?

A mission refers to the objective or purpose to be achieved. Understanding this definition, I ask what is our mission?

What is our objective or purpose? What are we really trying to achieve? Do we have a mission?

Sadly, as spiritual leaders, our mission often gets skewed because the mission becomes more about us than God.

It often becomes more about what we want to achieve, rather than what God wants us to achieve.

As I mentioned last Monday, there is a growing trend of extremism. The problem of extremism occurs when dealing with “party” issues, “petty” ideas, or “personal” opinions become the focus in our life. Far too often, we then gradually lose sight of God’s mission.

This is why leadership must remain balanced.

Leadership must know and believe in the priority of God’s mission.

As leaders we must be honest enough to examine ourselves more closely and ask hard questions about whose mission we are fulfilling.

Let us arise and lead God’s people in unity, and let us work together to fulfill God’s mission.

“Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down.” David McNally

Several definitions could be given for commitment, but I do love this one.

Occasionally, life is going to knock us down. We may even get knocked down a few more times than we think is our share.

However, are we committed to the cause enough to keep getting up no matter how many times we get knocked down?

I also see powerful thought in the idea of commitment being the enemy of resistance. When we are committed to the cause, we will oppose resistance, both our own or others.

When we are committed we are motivated.
When we are committed we have dedication.
When we are committed we keep our focus.
When we are committed we will stop at nothing.

Nothing is more deserving of our commitment than the cause of Jesus. His life, as an example, His death, as a sacrifice for sin, is worthy of our motivation, dedication, focus and determination to press on, whatever it takes.

One of the assignments in a recent class I am taking required students to write a “rule of life.” The idea behind the assignment was to focus on our purpose for life.

Before considering the connection to leadership, answer the following questions.

Have you ever sat down and written out your purpose of life?
Why are you pursuing the course in life you are pursuing?
What do you want to achieve and get out of life?
Would you be willing to write down your purpose of life?
What implications would exist with having a written purpose for life?

Knowing and reminding ourselves of our purpose of life will continue to keep us focused on the impact of our words and actions.

Having a purpose of life gives us meaning and hope for what the future holds.

A purpose of life changes the way we see God, develop family, and influence others.

At some point I will share my purpose with you, but for now, suffice it to say our purpose should incorporate our understanding of God, his working in our life, and our need to glorify Him.

In thinking about different leaders from Scripture, Barnabas stands out.

Barnabas was a great Bible leader because of his example in generosity. The scripture indicates he sold some property and gave it all to the apostles to help in the needs of the early church.

However, his generosity is not what I want us to notice about this great Bible leader.

Barnabas was the name given to Joseph, by the apostles. When we look at two specific incidents, we see why Joseph would have been given the name, Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement.

First, after Paul’s conversion to Christianity, people were hesitant to believe the change, until Barnabas stood up and spoke on Paul’s behalf.

Second, when Paul did not want to take John Mark on the next missionary journey, Barnabas was willing to give John Mark another chance.

In our leadership, we need to be like Barnabas. We need to be willing to stand up and speak for those who have changed their lives, and when they have changed, we need to give people another chance.

What an encouragement! What a need in leadership! Think Souls.

A question came to mind when I thought of this word; why and how does global have a place in leadership?

I realize a question of this nature has numerous answers to consider. The answer that first came to mind for me connected directly to the span of leadership influence.

Do we really consider the far reaching nature of our influence as leaders from a global perspective?

The influence of one person can move a nation, lead an army, direct a revolution, carve out a place in history, or change the life of one person who will.

We far too often underestimate what can be done with the influence we have on the circle of people we meet on a daily basis.

Instead of thinking how can we do something revolutionary, why not think of changing the life of one person. Who knows how God may be working through the person we influence to make a global difference.

Let us commit ourselves to changing the life of one person. Open the door of opportunity for one person. It will make a difference…globally.

How many times in the political arena do we hear the thought expressed of someone being extreme left or extreme right?

Being extreme, however, is not limited to the political arena. We quite often find the beast of extremism within the church.

In the limited time I have been given on earth, I have personally seen numerous “issues” that have become a major hobby horse for well intended brethren.

They became so dogmatic or extreme in their approach to these issues it led to, 1) a division in the church, 2) leaving for a more liberal mindset, 3) attending with another congregation, or 4) leaving to start their “own.”

We do not find these options in scripture.

Only Christ has the power to remove the candlestick from any congregation.

Our responsibility is to learn the difference between Biblical doctrine and personal opinion.

Spiritual leadership is about finding the proper balance to maintain the unity needed with the Lord’s church.

In a time where people are trying to prevent the world’s influence on the church, let us not become so extreme that our actions portray what we are trying to prevent.

“In times like these it is good to remember that there have always been times like these.” Paul Harvey

No matter what these times may be in our lives, this is a great quote to remember, especially as leaders.

Over the past 50 years we have all seen several changes within the church. Some of these changes have been good and some destructive.

There have been “times like these” on several occasions. At the time we may have wondered if this was the only time something like this had happened. Have others faced the same challenges and struggled with the same feelings?

Solomon reminds us there is nothing new under the sun. Paul Harvey expresses it another way, but the thought is the same.

Leaders will always face challenges when leading others. It may be a different generation, culture, gender, age, or time of day, but the outcome is the same. There have always been times like these.

Let us remember to seek God’s counsel and listen to His word. Here is the only place we will find the true answers to solve the problems we face.

I have been blessed to spend time with my granddaughter the last few days. One of her favorite movies is Tangled (each time we are together we watch it several times). She has a special way of singing along with the various melodies throughout the movie. I am a little biased, but it is incredibly cute, to say the least. One particular song is entitled I Have A Dream.

I have and continue to learn much about leadership from each of my grandchildren, especially observing what they love to watch and do. What they dream and how their imagination works to achieve those dreams in their mind lifts my spirit. It helps me understand more why Jesus teaches us we need to be like children.

Several questions came to mind in listening to this song.

Do we have a dream?
Is our dream focused on us or others?
Is our leadership pursuing that dream?
Have we shared our dream with others?
Have we invited others to help achieve our dream?

Without a dream, it becomes challenging to develop vision, set goals, make plans, and achieve success. Are we dreaming yet?