Traveling around the world has me often looking for some way to connect to the internet. It is amazing to think how disconnected it feels when there is an extended period without the internet.

The connection is not about the internet. The internet is the tool through which we connect to family and friends. Without this connection something is missing, even empty.

The world has become dependent on the internet. A culture all its own has been created and it connects people around the world.

Since we are talking about the internet, try a Google search on leaders being connected. Within seconds you will discover nearly seven million articles on the subject. We cannot exhaust them all in a few lines in a leadership post.

Leaders must be connected to those who are following, but how? Here are 5 suggestions.

1) Get involved in their lives.
2) Be more transparent.
3) Give others something to believe in.
4) Relate individually.
5) Give genuine complements.

This connection creates a demonstration of love and care. It is not easy connecting to others. However, when we find ways to connect, it will work every time.

Businesses generally offer a raincheck for out-of-stock merchandise that is “on sale.” This process allows customers an opportunity to buy the merchandise at the sale price when restocked.

The benefit of this process helps build loyalty between the customer and business.

Loyalty is one of the most vital characteristics of leadership. Leaders must be loyal and create loyalty in those they influence. The question is how do we build the kind of loyalty needed in leadership?

Demonstrate trust: The trust we have in God must be exemplified in our service. We must also learn to trust in others. Perhaps this is why Solomon taught it’s importance.

Develop consistency and integrity: The decisions we make in leadership must be made on a standard of consistency and integrity. Without them, loyalty will be impossible.

Dedicate yourself: Dedication involves the highest level of commitment. We must be dedicated to God, others, and reaching the goal.

These are only three steps of many, but if we will take them we can build a solid foundation for loyalty. There is no raincheck when it comes to leadership. Establishing loyalty is priority #1.

Oddly enough, I like watching professional golf when I have an opportunity. I enjoy watching the precision and accuracy of the sport.

Each tournament has a leader board. The name of the golfer with the best score sits on top of the leader board. Other sports use a similar practice with a score board. Why? It is about winning!

We tell children it is not about winning, but about playing the game. If this is true, why do we keep score? Interesting!

It is about winning. A few years back, James Coker (preacher for the Woodland Park Church of Christ) did a lesson from 1 Corinthians 9. The point he made from the text was “winning is everything.”

Paul adjusted specific areas of his life “so that he might win” souls for Christ. He wanted to win the Christian race and receive the eternal reward.

However, as a spiritual leader, Paul knew winning was everything when it came to leading others.

Where are we on the leader board? Are we living in a way that we might win? Are we leading in a way that others might win?

THINK SOULS

“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.