What one word would sum up our leadership? One word from the Gospel accounts most characteristic of the life and leadership of Jesus is compassion.

His ministry, His relationship with people, His teaching and miracles were all built on a foundation of compassion.

Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.

Our leadership should be characterized by compassion.

The tougher an environment becomes, the more a leaders’ need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, the awareness of leadership to the needs of others becomes evident.

Leadership senses must be engaged.
We must be observant to our surroundings.
Our hearts must be touched with the situation of others.
The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.

Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to be like the great leader we have in Christ.

History and archaeology provide untold stories about life from the past. In a recent article, a young author spoke of shadows left behind after the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. The shadow of an individual and a few objects reflect a legacy of U.S. and Japanese tragic leadership. As I considered the final statement, “leave a legacy,” I was reminded of our role as leaders.

What will remain in the shadow of our leadership 20, 30, 40 or 50 years from now? Is our leadership legacy intentional? Will our leadership be a shield to protect and provide for others? What legacy will we leave?

A legacy of money will eventually be spent.
A legacy of possessions will quickly fade.
A legacy of service will soon be forgotten.
A legacy of security will be destroyed.

Only a spiritual legacy influences this present life and life to come.

How many lives will stand before the throne of God in the shadow of our leadership?

How many will be thankful for an eternal home because of our legacy?

When we have passed from this life, the shadow of our leadership should leave a legacy of eternal glory.

Before Friday, these numbers were not very significant. However, 8.9 now has a profound meaning to everyone on this physical earth.

8.9 reminds us life is fragile.
8.9 reminds us earthly treasures are temporary.
8.9 reminds us God is all powerful.
8.9 reminds us of the need for leadership.

How will leaders in Japan respond to this tragedy? How will the leadership of the world respond?

How will the leadership of the Lord’s church respond?

Tragedy tends to bring opportunity, opportunity most often met with physical provision. Will we be satisfied to send money, food, water, and clothing?

This tragedy should remind us of the opportunity to help people prepare for the ultimate destruction of the earth. It will be an event exceeding 8.9.

The media claimed Japan to be the most prepared nation on earth. Many lives were spared because of the warnings.

God’s word warns us of a great day coming. All will stand before His judgment throne. Are we prepared? Will others be prepared?

Being connected with people is vital to good leadership. One of the great tragedies of any generation is to have a disconnected leadership.

Several elements will help establish connection.

1) A leaders’ life must be transparent.
2) People need something to believe in. Leaders must provide it.
3) Nothing is more powerful than living a consistent life.
4) The greatest connection is made by relating to people individually.
5) Leaders must find ways to genuinely compliment others.

Leaders who are connected lead with passion and integrity. They know and are known by others. Love for others drives a leader’s heart. Reaching the goal motivates a leader’s actions. Staying connected keeps a leader balanced.

News highlights recently seem to be focused on negotiations. Whether the NFL or political / union talks, the practice of negotiating is becoming more common.

Negotiating is an effort to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion with others. Most often, there is “give and take,” thus, compromise.

Spiritual leaders need to exercise caution when it comes to negotiating. Far too often the religious world negotiates God’s word in an attempt to appease a larger majority of people. Recently, in Colorado, several religious organizations have compromised God’s word in an attempt to promote “civil unions,” accepting and advocating homosexual marriages.

Attempts to negotiate the word of God are futile. Efforts to change God’s word will not change what is written in His word.

Spiritual leaders should not move themselves, or others, away from God and His word. Rather, leadership should be an effort toward God and His word.

Perhaps this explains Paul’s words to Timothy, “pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you,” 1 Tim. 4:16.

Last Friday was usual by most standards. Neal Pollard and I set out for a run on the Bear Creek Trail, as we do every other day. However, within a few minutes, Neal noticed an unusual object. As we approached, close enough for a full view, Neal noticed a skunk with its tail raised and ready for defense. As you might imagine, we gave the right away to our furry friend and chose a short detour.

This was not the first time we have encountered obstacles on the trail, but it had our attention. I began thinking how the path of leadership encounters many obstacles.

Obstacles become challenges that often redirect our course.

Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. Some are more threatening than others. However, there is no doubt obstacles will come.

Neal and I took a short detour to get out of range (if you know what I mean), but we were quickly back on the trail and finished our run.

Obstacles in leadership may cause a short detour, but we must not allow them to prevent us from regaining our focus and reaching our goals.

Communication can be challenging. Primarily, the difficulty involves understanding. We tend to think, if we speak the same language, others understand what we are trying to say. Communicating is even more difficult if we believe others can or should read our minds. Let’s call it, reading between the lines.

Words are powerful. However, the true effectiveness of words involves understanding.

We know exactly what we mean with every word.
We understand the intent behind every word.

However, others do not know and understand, unless we communicate more effectively. Every leader must constantly work to improve communication.

The ability to communicate our vision and goals, or resolve conflict is necessary to the success of leadership.

A few basic communication tips may help.

1) Learn to listen. Never try to read between the lines or be thinking of what to say next.
2) Repeat back what was heard. This allows the individual speaking to know if they were understood correctly.
3) Ask questions. Asking questions helps clarify areas we may not have heard correctly.
4) Think before responding. Take a moment to consider a proper response to make certain we are understood.

He had me memorize scripture from the time I could speak. He had me read scripture to him each morning before school.

I have listened to him sing praises to His God. I have watched him read from the Bible and pray everyday. I have heard countless sermons he has preached throughout my life.

He is the best evangelist I know. He has led more souls to Christ than I can count. I learned a work ethic from him that has carried into my ministry today. I am constantly learning the lessons he taught and continues to teach.

I did not understand or appreciate his leadership growing up. I took for granted the hours of prayer on my behalf and the times he would ask “have you read your Bible today?”

However, there are no words to express how thankful I am for all he has done to mould me into who I am.

Today, he celebrates 76 years of life. Happy Birthday to a loyal, loving, faithful, and godly leader: my dad, Harold Turner. I have been blessed and I pray I can provide my children with the godly leadership I have seen in him.

The use of the word hand represents a significant concept throughout scripture. In the Old Testament we read of the contrast between Israel’s deliverance by the hand of the Lord and oppression by the hand of Israel’s enemies.

The idea of God’s hand is key in several books throughout the Old Testament.

God’s hand holds both consequence and reward. It creates fear and hope. The writer of the book of Hebrews expresses it is a “terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The writer also expresses how Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God. The right hand of God is a place of prominence and power.

Peter reminds us to humble ourselves “under the mighty hand of God.”

What does this have to do with leadership?

The hand of leadership must not create fear, but provide hope.
The hand of leadership needs to lead with humility.

There is prominence and power by the hand with which we lead. We have an opportunity to make a difference with the use of our hand. Let us use our hands to serve our God and others.

Wisconsin politicians and unions, government shutdown, protests in Egypt, Libya, and potentially Saudi Arabia, NFL negotiations and talks of a lockout all raise numerous questions.

Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, upheaval of nations, and the idea of climate change (a.k.a. “global warming”) all leave people wondering if we are living in the end times.

What on earth is happening?

Short of causing a minor coup with my own personal opinions, we have responsibilities as spiritual leaders.

Our responsibility can be summed up with two words. Think souls! We may never have the answers to the political, social, financial and religious turmoil facing the world today. However, we can fill a need born in the past, faced in present, and continuing into the future. Think souls!

Regardless of the nation: Regardless of the political leadership: Regardless of gender: We all have a soul and there should be a sense of urgency. Our family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers all struggle in life and have the same need. So, regardless of what on earth happens, think souls.