Who is really leading? Do you know? Does everyone know?

While this question may sound strange, it really appeals to the importance of our consideration.

Too often we think the one who is up front is leading. Is it the one who makes the decisions? Maybe we think the one with the title is leading. Perhaps it is the one who claims to be in charge. Again, do we know who is leading? Does everyone know?

While it may be obvious, the one who exercises influence is leading. It may not be the one up front, or one making decisions, or one with a title, or someone who claims to be in charge.

The individual people turn to and ask questions when there is concern, this is the one who is leading.

If we do not know who is leading, then we need to look around and observe. As one has said before, if we think we are leading and no one is following, then we are simply taking a walk.

Are you leading? Does everyone know?

On a recent flight between Minneapolis and Chicago I experienced the worst turbulence I have seen in my time of flying. Reactions were plentiful as the pilot ordered flight attendants to return to their own seats (first time I have ever heard this).

As I thought about the experience, it was interesting to hear one gentleman calling on the name of Jesus over and over again. Whether in prayer, chanting, or meditation, he somehow felt a benefit existed in calling out to Jesus.

In a manner of speaking, all of us will face turbulent times among the lives of those we lead and influence. There will be rough times in life where people will face terminal health problems, financial struggles, death of loved ones, life altering decisions, and additional areas challenging the core of life.

The impact of turbulence in life ultimately begins to challenge our spiritual focus and faith in God. Leaders need to provide a confident assurance others can look and call out to when the journey is rough.

Our task is learning how to listen and responding appropriately.

Friendship is for a lifetime. Few people can be identified as true friends. We have acquaintances. We have co-workers. We may even have those who are associates. But, the idea of true friendship goes far beyond.

We have all heard quotes about friendship and we have people in our lives we consider friends.

How does friendship impact our leadership? Are there areas of friendship we can provide to help improve our leadership?

Friendship judges by investigating to know the heart and intent behind the action.

Friendship allows for mistakes and creates an atmosphere of expression with a mindset of helping overcome the challenges.

Friendship seeks to know and pursue truth in all things, even if it means risking feelings.

Friendship understands the ultimate goal is do what is right before God.

Spiritual leaders face many challenges. Leading and friendship will often create challenges in and of itself. However, if our focus is spiritual, then the friendships we establish will be built on principles of godliness.

“In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” T. Jefferson

No post is going to address the depth of difficulty spiritual leaders face daily. There will be personality conflicts, trivial matters, life changing decisions, and numerous other areas that weigh heavy on the hearts of those who lead.

For leadership, there will be times when flexibility needs to be demonstrated. However, there are other times when one must make a bold stand for what is right. Sadly, we often see the opposite, leaders who are flexible on principle and immovable on their opinions.

Jefferson provides a good “rule-of-thumb” to live by. In spiritual language perhaps we could say it this way. “In matters of opinion, go along. In matters of doctrine, stand strong.”

The idea is connected to nearly every sporting event and level. Teams with the best records begin a chess match of skill and execution to reach the final round of the playoffs. The two top teams then compete in pursuit of a championship.

Several qualities stand out with an organization in order to be crowned as a champion.

They must be a team. As many have said, no man is an island to himself. People must work together for a common purpose in order to win.

They must be dedicated. Dedication is a quality of commitment to the task or purpose. When the goal is clear, people are committed, and plans are executed properly, victory awaits.

There must be ability. The ability of people must be matched to the needed role. Combining role and ability encourages the morale of everyone involved.

There must be leadership. Teamwork, dedication and ability alone are not enough. People need someone to provide leadership.

We are in a spiritual playoff. We are a team, dedicated, and abounding in ability. The need is for spiritual leaders to step up and provide the missing link.

I am not sure the origin of this phrase. However, it is generally connected to gambling, when a gambler pushes all of their available assets in for the bet.

The approach runs great risk and is usually an effort to 1) bluff for survival, 2) cash out and go home, or 3) win big because of the confidence to win.

Spiritual leaders are not bluffing to survive. We are not trying to cash out and go home. We need to have the confidence to win, and win big.

This is the power of our relationship with God, as the writer of Hebrews teaches.

We know the anchor is secured through Christ.

The plan for success is outlined through the working of the Holy Spirit.

Our support system surrounds us past, present, and future.

We win! Consider then, what would we do if we knew we could not fail.

Leadership is not a part-time, halftime, when I’ve got time, or it’s a convenient time responsibility. The role of spiritual leadership challenges us to step up to a greater level. We must be “all in.”

Will the idea of a leadership crisis characterize our generation? At every level and venue, leaders are in high demand. From the political to the spiritual arena, we need leaders.

In time of crisis what should we do? There are several possibilities.

1) Do nothing.
2) Deny there is a crisis and continue the same course as though no crisis exists.
3) Ignore the crisis hoping it will take care of itself.
4) Procrastinate addressing the crisis and allow the wrong leadership to take control.
5) Address the crisis with a plan of action to change the direction of the future.

The obvious solution is to address the crisis with a plan of action. Developing a plan of action will require us to account for the following.

1) Acknowledge the problem(s).
2) Examine the severity of the situation.
3) Remove the element(s) poisoning the group.
4) Develop a support system for the current leadership.
5) Begin an immediate course of preparing leaders for the future.

We can change the future, but we must act and we need to act now!

Spring offers wonderful thoughts connected to leadership. Three specific words are connected.

Change: Change can be good or bad. Change is necessary to reach our goals. Change is Biblical. Both in becoming a Christian and in our walk as a Christian, a necessary element is repentance (change). As the harshness of winter subsides, the change brought with the coming of spring is beautiful and necessary.

Instability: Instability generally results from the changes winter ushers in with spring. The recent devastation brought on by tornadoes throughout the south demonstrates this fact. Transitions introduced by spiritual leaders bring change, and it is not uncommon to see instability. Change does not come quickly, easily or without resistance.

Life: However, the most beautiful part of spring is seeing all of nature regain life through this change. After a dormant winter, spring rains and sunshine bring life. It is powerful to see the change, even through the instability often produced.

Our leadership should provide stability to give assurance through the changes producing spiritual life.

More could be said, however, spring should introduce a wonderful approach to our leadership.

“It’s wonderful when the people believe in their leader… but it’s even more wonderful when the leader believes in the people.” – unknown

Consider what could be accomplished with a group of people following this kind of leadership.

When leaders think and speak more in terms of “I” or “me” the results are destructive. In the end, people will not follow because there are questions of the leadership having a genuine concern for the best interest of the people.

Leaders must believe in people and invest in people. No one individual or group of individuals will be greater than the work of our Lord. One of the most powerful lessons we learn from all of scripture is “we can’t make it on our own.”

We need each other and we need our God. We need to believe in each other. Nothing could be more true for spiritual leaders.

An echo is the sound reflected back from the surface of another object based on the right conditions. Its what you get back.

What is being reflected back in our leadership?
Are we listening to those entrusted to our leadership?
Do we know, understand, and meet the needs of the group?
Is there a spiritual focus or material emphasis to our purpose?
Look at the results of working the plan to reach our goals. What are we getting back?

What we get back will directly reflect what we are investing through our leadership. The very purpose of investing in our leadership is because of this echo.

The greater the investment, the greater the return. The joy of leadership is found in seeing the investment grow to greater dividends, knowing what we get back multiplies.

It is the law of harvest. The Bible speaks of reaping what we sow, if to the flesh, we reap corruption, but if to the spirit, then we reap eternal life. Now this is an echo worth the investment.