I enjoy meeting new people everywhere I go. From lectureships and gospel meetings to traveling overseas, I usually meet someone new.

I recently had the privilege of meeting Tom and Maureen Jackson in New Hampshire. Over the few days we were together we talked of leadership (I know you are shocked).

Tom is looking for someone to help work with the congregation in Lancaster. In one conversation he said; “I am not stepping down, but stepping aside.”

All of us will eventually face the fact we are getting older. As we do, there needs to be an awareness of what we are able and unable to accomplish as leaders.

One of the best ways to help the work continue is not by stepping down, but stepping aside.

Stepping down brings an element of finality and completion.

Stepping aside says I am here to help and do whatever I am still capable of doing. It brings a powerful element of mentorship needed to make the work a little easier and better for the one who follows.

Thank you Tom for a great lesson in leadership!

Everyone is probably aware of the recent death of Steve Jobs. Nearly every newspaper, electronic media, along with every television news broadcast has covered his death.

He has been credited with saving Apple.
He is said to be the one who has shaped all of us.

It fascinates me the power one man had in changing the electronic / digital world in such a short time.

However, his death reminds us of the brevity of life, the certain outcome we all face, as well as the need to be prepared for something beyond the physical.

Numerous people have changed the history and direction of the world. However, none compare to the power of One man who changed the course of the physical and eternal realm.

He is the One we need to know. He is the One we must lead others to know.

While the accomplishments of Steve Jobs may leave an incredible legacy, he is still a man whose soul is now in the hands of the Creator.

I pray our leadership legacy will make a difference in the eternal outcome of others, not just the physical.

Recently, I began reading a new book about leadership. I will spare you the details at this point. Suffice it to say something in the beginning of the book really caught my eye and it has to do with the word “passion.”

We often think about people being passionate and we associate the thought of excitement, enthusiasm and a number of other characteristics.

However, the history of this word shows it comes from a Latin word meaning “suffer.”

Most will remember the movie The Passion Of The Christ. The title of this movie was derived from the idea of the Latin word. Certainly, the movie was filled with the suffering of Jesus.

The book I referenced is A Leader’s Legacy. The authors quickly point out the need for leaders to understand they must serve and suffer.

The significance of suffering is about the willingness of leaders to put the needs of others above themselves. It is a Biblical truth and the quality of great leadership will only be seen when leaders abandon a self-seeking worldly approach.

Be passionate, but understand what passion really means.

The world’s population is beyond my comprehension. When I consider the fact we are approaching seven billion, it simply becomes a number. As I travel to places around the world, the reality of this number becomes even more incredible.

I think about the plethora of languages in the countries I have visited.
I think about my inability to communicate adequately.
I think about the time I am in each location and may never be again.
I think about how all of these people will come to know Christ.
I think about their soul!
I think about what can and needs to be done.

I have more questions than answers. However, the best way I know to make the greatest difference in the world, spiritually, is to train men who know the culture and language to teach their own people.

I am thankful for the dedication and willingness of mission minded brethren who have and continue to labor on foreign soil.

I pray we can build upon their efforts and work with them to step up our work in ways to reach so many people.

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.  – Babe Ruth

In my younger days, I dabbled in a little boxing one afternoon at school. My opponent was much smaller than me, both in height and weight. However, there was one quality I did not consider until we started the first round. No matter how many times I hit him, he kept coming back.

When I read the quote above, it reminded me of this failed attempt at boxing. I was also reminded of the quality we need as leaders.

We must not allow a larger and stronger opponent (whoever or whatever it may be) make us back down or quit.

Discouragement is almost certain. Signs may point to defeat.

However, this one thought should constantly keep us motivated in the good fight of faith. Satan is banking on us giving up, especially as leaders.

The only certainty of failure is if we quit. Remember, it is hard to beat a person who never gives up. Be strong and courageous.

We know these initials stand for the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA is an agency designed to investigate matters on a higher, political and more secure level. I am sure we will never know the depths of all the various areas of their involvement.

However, from a leadership perspective, the idea of CIA stands for something different. As we have mentioned in previous posts, nothing is more destructive to leadership than hypocrisy.

We must also consider that nothing is more convincing than consistency. This is why the leadership CIA is about Consistency In Action.

When leaders demonstrate consistency others have an example to follow.

The gospel of Matthew emphasizes the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day. Jesus addressed the problem on several occasions.

Their hypocrisy was seen in giving, prayer and fasting. Their worship was worthless. They were moving their lips in the right direction, but their heart was going another.

Jesus condemned these men because their teaching did not properly align with their actions.

If we could all join the CIA of spiritual leadership our influence would reach greater heights.

What a great idea! Perseverance is the ability to hold on just five more minutes. However, the struggle we face is developing the ability to persevere.

It can be difficult to “keep on holding on” when we feel we are at the end of the rope. Yet, one of the most needed qualities in leadership is this mindset.

Consider a few suggestions to help us in developing greater perseverance.

First, remember what has been invested and what is at stake. We have invested in leadership and those who are following rely on our guidance.

Second, do not forget there is help. In times when we think or feel alone we can face what seems overwhelming and insurmountable. An effort to tackle the situation alone can bring disaster.

Third, take one minute at a time. As with anything else, we need to break it down into one minute at a time instead of thinking five more minutes.

Fourth, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Simple, yet this statement is the foundation of perseverance.

Hold on! The soul is worth our persevering. Think Souls.

How many times have you heard someone refer to loosing their focus? It seems to be more common with each day.

Specifically, when athletes fall short of achieving success, it is generally because they lost focus.

Leaders cannot afford to lose focus.

The challenge is determining where we place our focus. The world seems to be driven by the intent of distracting us from the goals we strive to achieve.

Distractions can take the form of work or personal financial problems, family issues, complications in health, tragedy, and numerous other areas.

I am not suggesting we ignore any of these areas when they occur. However, when distractions arise, we can either learn from them and maintain our focus, or we can lose sight of our priorities.

Focus is a matter of choice.

People need leadership to help them maintain their focus. Spiritual leadership must focus on presenting the choice of life or death. When our focus is on life we will appeal to others to make the right choice.

Amazingly, when we choose life, our focus enables us to handle the distractions with a gracious heart of gratitude.

The Leadership Fund was started with the goal of investing in the future of leadership. The primary purpose is to invest in spiritual leadership.

As a result, I often think about the daily approach to leadership on a number of levels. Several areas stand out as necessary for leaders to consider everyday.

Pray…
Look at the goal…
Share the plan…
Help someone…
Read, grow, learn personally…
Take a few minutes for yourself…
Listen closely…
Rest…

We may insert a variety of activities throughout the day. We may even do them on a regular basis. Never let a day go by without making each of these a part of your life in spiritual leadership.

It is an investment with imperishable returns.

Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, the people will say we have done it ourselves. Lao Tzu

Can there be anything better to accomplish as a leader? When a leader is selfless and focused on the best interest of those who are following, the result will be evident.

Leadership of this nature will…

Build confidence in others;
Strengthen the focus of the group;
Accomplish more and greater overall good;
Leave a legacy into eternity;
And, know more people will reach heaven because of their leadership.

I pray we will all realize how important this role of spiritual leadership is in the direction of our world and the whole of humanity.

You and I must lead. Will we step up and do our part?