We must first identify what we mean by “unmotivated?” What is not being done we want done?

We also need to ask a few simple questions.

1) Does the unmotivated know they are supposed to do these actions?
2) Do they know how to perform these actions as expected?
3) When was the last time they were reminded?
4) Are the reasons clear why these actions are important, necessary and valuable?
5) Are the guidelines clear of the consequences for not doing these actions?

People are motivated by self-interests. We all want respect. We want to contribute to the team. We desire friendship and social status. We need money and want job security. We must have love. We desire safety and wellbeing.

These are a few areas that motivate the actions of others. We should develop a strategy dealing with such matters. Answering a few questions, and learning to teach others “how” to get from point A to point B, is the first large step in getting the unmotivated motivated.

Respect is a necessity to leadership and respect is a two-way street. Respect is given and received. However, our challenge involves gaining respect.

People resent and resist leaders with questionable habits in their life. They resent leaders who speak in a condescending manner or participate in inappropriate activities.

An iron fist and failing to consider the needs of followers will cost leaders respect.

A few simple ideas can help us gain respect.

Be dedicated to the Lord. Focus on Christ and make the souls of others a priority. Our purpose must be to “pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”

Be consistent. Our words and our actions must match. Consistency is a virtue worth developing if we are to gain respect. Posner and Kouzes say; “the video needs to match the audio.”

Love people. We need to give more thought to demonstrating love. A deeper understanding of love might help us understand why it covers a multitude of sins.

We could argue whether respect is earned or demanded. However, applying a few simple principles to our leadership will answer the questions.

Leadership is no walk in the park. Why do more not lead? One of the top reasons is because it is difficult. Who would sign up after Paul’s message to the elders at Ephesus, “and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them”?

Would you or I want to lead with this prediction? Yet, we desperately need leaders.

I have heard; “if it were easy everyone would do it.” Well, it is not easy. At the same time, everyone is doing it. We are all leading others. The question is where are we leading them?

We either influence others for good or evil.
We either influence others to build on the rock or sand.
We either influence others to walk in the light or darkness.
We either influence others to be a sheep or a goat.
We either influence others to live for Christ or against Him.

It is one tough job, but it is worth the effort. Leading others to live a better life, sharing in the better promises of Christ, will be worth it all.

“It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed.” Harvey S. Firestone

Spiritual leadership should be based on the great point made in this statement.

John Maxwell says, “to add growth, lead followers. To multiply, lead leaders.”

This approach involves developing others. We must equip and train others to lead. Who will replace you and me? Are we working to prepare them for the work?

Leadership, from a worldly point of view, is inward focused. This mindset begins to think the work cannot be done without “me.”

One must be self-centered in order to make one’s own way. Robert Kennedy said; “people say I am ruthless. I am not ruthless. And if I find the man who is calling me ruthless, I shall destroy him.”

Jesus demonstrated a different application. The apostles were developed for a task they were commissioned to do. The success of their work continues today and will throughout eternity.

The apostle Paul addressed this mindset in writing to the church at Philippi.

The success of our leadership, and the future of the church, rests on developing others.

People believe in some pretty bizarre things. Do we believe “Bigfoot” exists? Do we believe Elvis is still alive and hiding somewhere? Do we believe in UFO’s / aliens from other planets? Do we believe in the theory of evolution?

Not this post, or any other, will be designed to discuss these matters at any level. However, it causes me to wonder about what we believe and why we believe it.

Amazingly, and getting straight to the point, when we believe something, we talk about it to others. We express why our belief is so strong. When we do not believe there seems to be no purpose.

Quoting from the Old Testament, Paul wrote to the church at Corinth “I believe therefore I speak.”

We have opportunity to influence many people everyday. It is fundamental to leadership. Are we talking about what we believe? Do we speak because of the overwhelming nature of what we believe and why we believe it?

The power of communication allows us an avenue to share a belief system based on the evidence of truth. Make it count!

Several years back I was introduced to the weather rock. Somehow, I believe it was connected to a hillbilly forecaster. It worked quite simply.

If the rock is wet, it is raining.
If the rock is white, it is snowing.
If the rock casts a shadow, it is sunny.

You get the point.

While the idea was useless in the realm of forecasting the future, it was great for the obvious.

It reminded me of how Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees and Sadducees how they were able to state the obvious regarding the signs of the weather, but were blind to the signs from heaven.

Our leadership needs to be about both. We need an eye for the obvious. We need to be tuned-in to the environment and present circumstances all around us.

However, we also need a vision for the future. We need to see where we are going and what it will take to get there.

No creative or crafty approach will produce the kind of spiritual leaders God needs today. We need leaders who know the way and point people to it!

I love being a “papa.” Last week my wife and I were blessed to have three of our grandchildren around the house. I am sure you have figured out we watched “Toy Story.” Not just once, but at least 20 times (or so it seemed).

My three year old grandson, Malachi, loves this movie. He has many of the lines memorized. What I love is when he attempts to fly around the room saying “to infinite and beyond.”

As precious as it is to watch him, I cannot help but think about leadership.

The more we learn about spiritual leadership, the more our work is about the future.

What will the future be like for our children or grandchildren? What are we doing now to ensure the spiritual foundation for their future and ours?

Sadly, we often think about the future based on our time on earth. While this is important, we need to give serious thought to “infinite and beyond.”

Whether our life ends on earth or the Lord returns, there is a future where time and space cannot be measured. Let us be diligent to prepare for this future.

Today is a special day in the United States. It is a day when men and women who have served this country in the military, both past and present, are remembered.

The significance of Memorial Day connects us to family and friends who have and continue to serve.

What I remember about these men and women relates to the importance of this post.

1) I remember their volunteer spirit.
2) I remember their dedication.
3) I remember their love.
4) I remember their sacrifice.

These are only four of many reasons we could list why this day is one to remember. It is powerful to consider how these areas are connected because of a loyalty to family, friends, and country. They serve(d) to keep this country free.

Think about the connection to spiritual leadership. Our loyalty to family, friends and the church should be driven by the same spirit, dedication, love and sacrifice. Our desire to lead others to freedom from sin makes everyday worth remembering.

Even more significant is the memorial we celebrate each Sunday for our Savior who exemplified these same four areas.

“I do not know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Unknown

Most people desire success. No one wants to experience failure. One of the reasons why so many do not lead is because they are afraid to fail.

If everyone had this attitude, where would we be spiritually? If no one had the courage to lead, when they cannot please everyone, what would happen to the church?

Well, guess what? It is impossible to please everyone and Jesus warned about situations where everyone speaks well of you. Trying to please everyone is not only impossible it is extremely harmful to our leadership. It creates “minority rule” because the minority will be the voice speaking against the decisions of leadership.

Remember to lead with the Bible as the basis for all decisions.

Establish a clear set of reasons why the decisions are being made and guidelines for their fulfillment.

Make decisions with confidence.

Communicate the decisions clearly.

Understand not everyone will like or agree with all decisions and it’s okay.

The wisest man identified in the Old Testament was Solomon. He wrapped up the book of Ecclesiastes by saying, “the conclusion, when all has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”

The conclusion Solomon makes is true for any generation, culture, and country.

What is the conclusion of the matter when it comes to our leadership?

Are we able to summarize the whole of our purpose as leaders in simple terms with application to everyone?

Does our leadership point people to the One who has the answers for every aspect of life, both good and bad?

How will we answer when the conclusion of the matter concerning our leadership is called into account?

By now, most everyone is aware the world did not come to an end last Saturday, as some predicted. Imagine that! However, we know there is coming a day when it will end. When it does, and we stand before the throne of Christ, let us make sure the conclusion of the matter is clear regarding our leadership.