“Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.” Marian Anderson

The world thinks of leadership as forcing others to do what leaders say. However, this quote reminds us leadership goes far beyond the world’s idea.

Spiritual leaders must consider the needs of others.

When leading someone to Christ, our efforts will never be successful if we attempt to force God’s word upon them. People must learn and understand the application of God’s word in their own lives. The idea of shoving it down people’s throats will not work, at least not Biblically.

We must also guard attempts to create undue guilt. Eloquent speakers often create guilt to get a response. Sadly, a response may come, but when the guilt no longer exists the next day, the motivation to change is no longer present.

We must understand the needs of others and lead in a Biblical manner to create an understanding of the need to change, teach how and why there should be a change and allow God’s word to work in a way to bring Biblical change.

Moses was noted for his faith in seeing Him who is unseen.

Faith is defined in Hebrews 11 and identified through the activities of the faithful.

Spiritual leaders are people of faith. Primarily it involves faith in God. Without faith we do not have the power to please Him.

However, faith involves additional factors key to successful leadership.

Leaders must have faith in people. Even with our flaws, God entrusted His work to people.

Leaders must have faith in the purpose. God has provided us with the greatest purpose. He sent His Son to die for us and asks us to share the message with others.

Leaders must have faith in the plan. Goals are reached through working the plan. Once implemented, we need to believe it will accomplish God’s purpose.

Leaders must be people who see Him who is unseen. Peter wrote; “though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

Strength and stability are two powerful words needed within leadership.

Strength is the quality of being strong, possessing and demonstrating power.

Stability is an immovable foundation.

Our convictions must be built upon both.
Our character must possess both
Our courage must demonstrate both.

As leaders, we must be strong and immovable. Paul used this idea in his letter to the church at Corinth. In the conclusion of the letter, among several exhortations, Paul writes; “act like men, be strong.”

When leadership provides strength and stability the church will experience growth. Christians will develop greater confidence and assurance. More in the world will come to know the gospel.

Think souls.

Does this thought make any sense to anyone? The wise should not be receiving the word, but rather the unwise. However, it would seem scripture teaches quite the opposite.

The Bible is filled with many contrasts. Few seem as prevalent as the contrast between the wise and foolish.

Solomon said the wise quickly receive instruction.

Paul instructs us to act as wise men not as unwise.

Jesus indicated the wise to be those who hear His words and act upon them. The foolish hear His words, but do not act upon them.

There should be much wisdom in leadership. This is even more true in spiritual leadership. Many are following and looking for someone to provide answers, to lead.

Leadership is not ours alone. Our leadership should be based on the direction we receive from the Lord.

A word to the wise should be a word from the wise and it would be wise to listen to the Lord.

Denial is often seen as declaring something as being untrue. People live in denial concerning a number of areas.

Struggling with addictions often leads to denial.
The loss of a loved can create a state of denial.
Various trials faced in life cause us to live in denial of reality.

However, the challenge of leadership involves a proper perspective of this idea of denial. Leaders must not wear the proverbial blinders in denial of the present situation or circumstances. We must have an awareness of reality.

Problems are going to exist. Trying to convince ourselves they will not is living in denial.

Someone else is not going to solve the problems. Waiting until someone else comes along will only prolong the inevitable and can make matters worse.

Address problems when they first arise. When we do the problems can be resolved when they are smaller.

Denial can quickly lead to destruction. Leadership is too valuable to allow denial to rob us of reaching our goal.

“A person must be big enough to admit their mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” Unknown

At first, I thought there is no need to add anything to this quote. It speaks volumes. The question I kept asking is why would someone not follow this advice?

The only answer I can determine is the most damaging to our leadership…PRIDE.

Pride prevents us from admitting our mistakes and, as a result, we will not profit from or correct them.

Admitting our mistakes is one of the most difficult areas of leadership. Yet, when we follow this advice, the result is powerful. Keep in mind…

1) Others know we make mistakes, whether we want to admit them or not.
2) A willingness to admit our mistakes is a foundation demonstrating a dependence upon God.
3) Relationships grow deeper in trust.
4) Personal growth strengthens our leadership.

The best part of the equation is the profit and correction resulting from such actions. Spiritual leaders will use the opportunity to benefit from and improve their ability to lead.

Charisma is a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

Leaders must have a charismatic quality to their leadership. How does someone determine if they have charisma? How can charisma be developed?

Charisma is not the quality of self-centered leadership. Think about our conversations with others. How much of the conversation is focused on us, what we do, our family, our interests, etc.?

When leaders have charisma they add value to the lives of others. They give others hope. At times, spiritual leaders feel the need to constantly focus on areas surrounding what the Bible says about sin. It is true, we need to know what the Bible says about sin, but the Bible is a book about hope. Jesus is our hope. His coming was to remove the consequences of sin and He gave His life to provide us hope.

Inspiring devotion in others will be built on the ability of leaders to provide hope.

The charisma of spiritual leaders is directly related to this ability. Pride, insecurity, and cynicism destroy the ability to lead others to this hope.

We seem to like the idea of rating performance, looks, ability, etc. Generally, we have a scale from 1 to 10. Somewhere in between we try to communicate to others how well they are doing in our opinion.

I have to ask: who determines the scale? Does it differ from one person to another? Is there a consistent standard allowing for accurate evaluation?

We all know the answers to the questions. When we consider our leadership, how would we rate on a scale of 1 to 10?

Perhaps it would do us well to establish a consistent standard of evaluation to determine our leadership.

Until then, we should realize a couple of factors:

1) People are going to rate our leadership (whether we like it or not).
2) Our rating is determined by ability, decisions, relationships, and previous success.
3) We are going to give an account to God for our leadership.
4) There is a standard: God’s word.

When we take God’s word, on a scale of 1 to 10, how will our leadership measure up? Changing our rating is up to us.

This plaque hangs in my parent’s house. How much thought do we give to the idea behind these three expressions?

Live well – The application holds merit physically and spiritually. How well are we living? Neal Pollard’s grandfather said; “the old man lives with what the young man does.” Are we simply living for the moment or living well with eternity in view?

Love much – Leadership will only succeed when those we are leading know we love them. Our desire for their highest good will be seen in our words and actions. Parents have the supreme task of leading their children to heaven. It will take much love.

Laugh often – I wish a good sense of humor was my strong suite, but it is not. It is easy to get wrapped up in the struggles of daily life and forget the importance of laughter. Solomon said a joyful heart is good medicine. We need to learn to find joy throughout life.

When these three expressions find root in our existence, we will see a greater influence to our leadership. Others will see the difference. Live well, love much, laugh often!

I am sure articles, posts, and reports we be focused today on America’s celebration of Independence.

The history of Independence Day will be on the minds of most Americans as they spend time remembering the events in 1776. July 4th brought freedom / independence from the law and rule of England.

The years following to the present have been filled with highs and lows, victories and defeats. The events formulating the history of this nation, like any other, have played a key role in developing the present character of the United States of America.

As Christians, we also recognize the freedom we have from the rule and consequences of sin through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The price paid by Jesus brought freedom not for one nation, but for all nations on the earth.

Our role as spiritual leaders is to help others understand and experience this freedom.

We preach the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the salvation of those who will heed and obey the Savior.

Time is too precious to delay. Let us be diligent to the task. Think Souls.