I am constantly amazed how much I get accomplished when I have a checklist. When I take time to write down all I must do for the day, I not only get it done more quickly, but more efficiently, and I feel I have accomplished something at the end of the day.

Spiritual leaders need to form a checklist of far more than daily activities.

The list needs to involve the who and what for those who are led.

Who we are leading is crucial to understanding how we are going to lead.

What needs to be accomplished will address areas concerning the needs, abilities, opportunities, responsibilities, and dreams of others.

Considering the who and what leads to another crucial question, and that is why?

Why we lead helps us see more clearly the direction we need to take, and design a plan to help reach the destination.

There will always be more to examine. However, when we take a few simple ideas and ask ourselves the right questions, the checklist will lead to greater efficiency and accomplishment for the Lord.

Have you ever considered the power behind two simple words, for life?

What does it mean when we accept a responsibility for life? Do we understand the value and intent behind a commitment for life?

I recently had opportunity to perform a wedding ceremony for two friends. It is exciting to see all the work that goes into making 25-30 minutes the most special half hour in the lives of two people.

As the vows were exchanged, the thought of the words for life took on a new significance.

There will be challenging days ahead, but they will be faced together because of these two words.

Family problems will arise, both within and without, but they will be met when for life is understood.

Difficulties with health will occur, but they will be overcome when faced for life.

Leadership is the same. Assuming we understand our influence on someone each day, we are going to lead. It must be for life.

It is an opportunity, not a chore. It is a privilege, not drudgery.

We can make a difference when we know it is for life.

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” Norman Schwarzkopf

This thought stands on its own. There is no doubt when it comes to the necessity of character. As well, leadership must also involve strategy. However, over the last few years I have grown to appreciate Schwarzkopf’s statement.

We have examined several areas about character in the past and I do not think it can be overstated. Character is the very substance of leadership.

The determination of character is the head of character.
The development of character is the heart of character.
The demonstration of character is the hands of character.

Where there is character, there is leadership! We need strategy, but strategy takes a distant second place to the necessity of character as leaders.

I find it quite easy to be negative. Whether it is age, circumstances of life, witnessing various elements / changes within the church, or any number of areas, I have too often allowed myself to become cynical.

This is WRONG!

How can I, or anyone else, in leadership allow the external situations surrounding us influence our efforts in making a positive change? The answer is simply, we cannot! We must not!

When we consider how God has empowered us with the ability to choose, and that he has provided redemption and freedom from the consequences of sin, how can we not live in Biblical joy.

We not only have a reason to live, but a reason to have joy in this life as we anticipate the coming of an eternal one.

Considering the information we have been given, our efforts as leaders must be to make a positive change. The external circumstances will always exist and challenge the core of leadership. However, we must arise above it and lead to make a positive change, beginning with me / us!

A recent acquaintance at the local gym made an interesting observation. In talking about our workout routines, he stated that when he was younger he lived by the idea “anything worth doing is worth overdoing.”

We both laughed, but later I began to think more deeply about this thought.

A fairly common term used when we work too much is the classic “workaholic.” We can easily get so wrapped up in ourselves and our work it consumes us and everything we do.

How do we prevent falling into this trap of obsessiveness as we travel through life?

We need balance. The task of balancing God, family, work, and any other activities can be most challenging. If we are not careful it is easy to become imbalanced and overdo one area above the other. Generally, we overdo work.

We need to evaluate priorities. Simply expressing an area of life as a priority does not make it so. We need to evaluate and live according to the proper priorities of God, family, work.

While there are other areas to consider, this is a beginning point to help us prevent overdoing in our leadership.

I love this word. It has to do with being outstanding, something out of the ordinary, unusual and something not typical.

This word is applied in many different areas of life from our homes to the work place.

However, for the sake of our purpose in The Leadership Fund, it must apply to our spiritual leadership. Thus, we are left with a few questions: How would our leadership be characterized? Would the word exceptional fit in the equation? Are we pursuing a leadership that is exceptional?

Examining the approach to leadership within the secular world leaves us considering a path out of the ordinary. A servant approach to leadership quickly demonstrates the atypical mindset in leading.

The very thought of focusing on the needs of others above our own personal goals, ambitions, desires, etc. is not the usual or ordinary approach to leading.

Spiritual leadership should always demonstrate an exceptional quality. From the motive to the activity, others can easily spot exceptional leaders.

A little self-examination will go a long way to helping us step up our leadership as exceptional.

N.T. Wright’s book, subtitled Why Christian Character Matters, discusses the development of Christian virtue. His approach is for virtue to become “second nature.” The idea is for virtue to be the natural / automatic response of leaders.

The book develops three major thoughts. The first examines the virtuous purpose of Christian character. The Christian life is not one lived simply by rules, but the development of virtue to act naturally.

The second major thought discusses the need for character transformation. This transformation involves a renewal of mind. Character transformation must occur within, thus creating a change of actions demonstrated in virtuous behavior or conduct.

The third major thought considers the virtues of faith, hope and love. These virtues are connected to the development of the fruit of the Spirit within the context of community.

The premise for leadership emphasizes the need for practice and community. We must implement these virtues, but we need each other to do so. We cannot develop as spiritual leaders in isolation.

It is a good thought for leaders to consider today. Our leadership must be about character and helping others reach heaven.

“One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” Arnold Glasow

Recognizing problems in advance is a challenge for all leaders. There are benefits to preventing problems from becoming emergencies. The question is what can be done to recognize these problems in advance?

Accept that problems will happen. Living in denial, ignoring, or hoping a problem will go away is an invitation for an emergency. Problems are a part of life and accepting this fact will help in preventing emergencies.

Practice good communication. Good communication is a two way street. However, the key is learning to listen more than speaking. Many problems could be detected sooner if leaders listened carefully.

Ask appropriate questions. At the first sign of a problem, learn to ask questions related to what might be occurring.

Learn from the past. Chances are, this is not the first problem. Use the lessons learned from previous experience and use it as a foundation for the future.

There are no exact lists to resolve every problem in advance. However, a few simply ideas will help make some major differences.

The idea of life is threaded throughout the very thought of Jesus and his existence. In him was life and the life was the light of men. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

However, the most common thought about life is connected to both the quantity and quality of what Jesus offers, eternal life.

This offer is available for all, but not all will receive it. The gospel of John emphasizes these truths.

Our spiritual leadership is directly related to this life we have been discussing. We are giving others a chance to live.

Not everyone will accept it. Some will need our patience to learn more about it. The thrill of ministry is witnessing those who understand and enjoy God’s gracious gift in Christ by their obedient response.

While there are many areas associated with leadership and all of them have value, when we really narrow it all down to the most significant need, we are focused on an offer of life. The quantity and quality of this gift makes life worth living and leadership worth following.

No matter where you are right now, chances are there are signs or billboards around you with a slogan.

One of my favorites is by Kay Jewelers, “Every kiss begins with Kay.”

Nike’s slogan has been used as an example by many, “Just do it.”

How about the Army’s slogan, “Be all that you can be.”

Do you remember the slogan for Wheaties cereal? The “Breakfast of ____________________.”

Perhaps you know the slogan for Maxwell House coffee, “Good to the last drop.”

This is not even a drop in the proverbial bucket of the slogans that dominate the advertising world.

We often find ourselves as spiritual leaders trying to connect the catchiest phrase or slickest slogan to our efforts to attract the most amount of people to follow.

While slogans can be good, we need to understand our leadership should not be defined by them. Our leadership is about leading others to Christ. It is not about a slogan. It is about eternity. Let us make our leadership count for something lasting. Think Souls.

In case you are still trying to figure out the last of the Wheaties slogan, it is “champions.”