I waited until today to consider the need to recoup and recover. Families have returned home. Christmas decorations have been stored for another year. We are probably back to a regular work schedule.

Why today? Chances are someone was up yesterday shopping after Christmas specials or making returns, standing in lines, thinking how crazy, and perhaps, entertained the idea of going back to work to recoup and recover. We are not the first to think this way.

What is the connection to spiritual leadership? Remember to rest.

This is not my strong suit. It would not be a stretch to say I am a workaholic. The thought of taking a full day off without checking e-mail, answering the cell-phone, writing a leadership post, or something work related is strange.

Maybe you do not suffer with this mindset. If not, then you can stop reading. But, if you share this mindset, then read on.

Rest is valuable to everyone’s work performance.

Rest aids greater enthusiasm and energy to reach the goal.

Family life improves. Work performance increases. It is a win – win situation.

Whatever the season or project, remember to recoup and recover.

The holidays are special when shared with family. Nothing compares to being together.

Although families can be characterized as dysfunctional, we can learn from the family to help in spiritual leadership.

Families should be skilled in problem resolution. No family is free from problems, financial, personality, health, communication, rivalries, etc. How problems are resolved determines success.

Problem resolution in leadership must be a priority, because there will be problems.

Families must learn cooperation. Parents and children sharing one bathroom, rationing the food supply, and taking care of household chores, demands working together. Dysfunctionalism results when people are unwilling to work together.

The leadership connection is powerful. Creating an atmosphere where people get along and work side by side, cooperating for the common goal is rare.

Families need a common purpose. There are different personalities, opinions, objections, conflicts, etc. However, when families understand and strive for a common purpose, they are able to resolve problems and cooperate for the greater good of the family.

Leaders should be diligent in directing others to the common goal. We need to promote purpose and provide the leadership to reach it. Why? Because, spiritually, we are family.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” We are familiar with the words of the song. We also know the words of our Lord, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Certainly, it is a time of year when our minds think about the giving and receiving of gifts.

What gift would be best suited for an individual on our list?

As we consider the nature of this time of year, as spiritual leaders, there is a need for us to consider the words of Paul. “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation. In a self-serving world, it is challenging to find those who desire to give more than receive. However, spiritual leaders must focus on giving themselves so others might be saved.

I pray our spiritual leadership will be of such nature we are looking for ways to give ourselves to help direct people to heaven.

Everyone wants the best. We want the best of technology. We want the best car. We want the best clothes and food. We want the best service. We want the best leadership. We want the BEST!

The problem is defining “the best.”

Basically, the definition is subjective. The best for one person may not be the best for another.

In addition, what is the foundation for the definition? Will the best be defined by work effort? Cost? Achievement? Time spent?

When considering leadership, one might think pursuing the best is the right direction. However, it depends on the definition and the foundation of the definition.

Instead, we should consider the need to pursue excellence. The pursuit of excellence provides a consistency to leadership, especially spiritual leadership.

Pursuing excellence acknowledges the present situation and need.
Pursuing excellence desires to learn and improve.
Pursuing excellence strives to constantly make proper application.
Pursuing excellence is Biblical.

We should give thought to the direction of our leadership. Pursuing excellence will make a difference in our life and in lives of others.

Wait! It’s not Christmas yet. No, this is not the day I am referring to on this December 22.

Today, my parents celebrate 58 years of marriage. It is rare to find couples with what it takes to stay together 58 years plus. The qualities needed are similar to long lasting leadership.

The first is commitment. The concept of quitting, if this does not work out, is never a thought.

Second, it takes patience. We understand the need for others to be patient with our imperfections. Yet, we often fail to do the same for others. However, it must be a two way street.

The third is love. This is not the emotional idea often associated with the world’s concept of love. It is the Biblical definition of “seeking” the highest good of someone else, above ourselves.

Fourth, it takes selective amnesia. What? We cannot succeed while constantly reminding others of past mistakes and shortcomings. We need to let it go and realize a greater cause.

While my parents enjoy this very special day, as spiritual leaders, we must develop the type of qualities needed to succeed long term.

Each year about this time, I send and receive cards with holiday greetings. This year brought one I did not expect.

I received a card from Elsie Henderson, an elderly lady living in Washington. I met her 14 years ago. Her and her husband lived outside of town. As his health began to decline I would stop and visit.

After his death, I continued to visit Miss Henderson and develop a wonderful friendship.

About eight years ago, her health began to fail and her daughters moved her closer. She initially wrote to say hello, send a picture or poem, and talk about her new church family. About four years back, communication stopped. I was uncertain of what might have happened.

This week I received a lovely card from her with holiday greetings and a reminder of how much she missed me.

It reminded me of the need for leaders to maintain contact with those we have shared our lives with through the years.

Send a card or make a call to remind someone of their impact in our life. Spiritual leaders should take time throughout the year to remind others of their influence in their lives.

Think from a different angle. We all know the value of trust. We know the Biblical emphasis on trusting God. Scripture emphasizes the necessity of placing our trust completely in Him.

We also know the vital nature of establishing and building trust in our relationships. There must be trust in families, working relationships, and friendship.

Perhaps the challenge we face is learning to make application.

Consider the idea presented by Paul to the church at Corinth. From this text a powerful question arises. Can God trust you and me?

We are required, as stewards, to be trustworthy. Again, can God trust you and me?

Can He trust us to handle His word accurately?

Can He trust us to faithfully fulfill the purpose for which Jesus came to this earth?

Can He trust us to love and serve His church?

Can He trust us to provide the spiritual leadership needed for His church?

Only you and I can answer the questions. When we consider the value of trust, yes, we need to trust in our God, but can He trust us?

Are we dying from the destination disease? What is it?

This is the final week for a couple of students at the Bible Institute. Over the past 45 years several students have graduated the program.

It is not unique for students to face the destination disease upon graduation. The idea involves completing a goal and believing it is the end. There is no need to study anymore, to work, or to grow. Basically, this is the top and nothing more needs to be done.

This is a dangerous place to be. Why?

One loses creativity. There is plateau of knowledge. The passionate fire of learning is snuffed out.

In the end, a form of intellectual death occurs.

The question we should consider is how can we avoid this disease? Based on “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch, three ideas come to mind.

Be content with what you have, but never who or where you are.

Remember there are no shortcuts.

Always do the extra credit.

The destination disease can infect anyone at anytime. We need to work constantly at keeping the passion alive to be a student.

One of the most impressive areas of leadership does not involve what is being accomplished. In fact, it does not involve what has been accomplished. Rather, it involves what is left behind.

Legacy is not what you are leaving to, but it involves what you are leaving behind.

Thinking of all the accomplishments of leadership, nothing is more important than our legacy.

Among all the ideas regarding legacy, perhaps the most significant is the need to live the legacy we want to leave.

There will not be a second chance when we are gone.

Drawing near to the end of life is too late.

We must begin living it now. We must be what we want others to be.
Faith, trust, integrity, credibility, understanding, patience, and hard work are but a few to include.

In spiritual leadership, the idea of our legacy needs to be a greater priority. Ultimately, it all comes down to recognizing the need to duplicate our leadership.

Remember, “to add growth, lead followers. To multiply, lead leaders.”

When it is all said and done, what will we leave behind?

…is a Biblical principle. In fact, the idea is presented in multiple ways. Jesus said you are either for or against; building on rock or sand; a sheep or a goat; walking in light or darkness.

There was no middle ground with Jesus. Our world claims many paths lead to the Father. The concept of two paths is not well received.

Yet, if Jesus identified only two paths and indicated the difficulty of walking the narrow path, then why complicate the situation by altering New Testament teaching?

Where are spiritual leaders today?

Will more stand in the gap to proclaim Biblical truth?

Is it possible to return to a Biblical foundation when the church is threatened by the left and right winds of change?

Spiritual leaders have been called for this purpose. We have a responsibility and we will be held accountable.

Let us be diligent in our study of God’s word.

Let us be strengthened with a greater understanding of truth.

Let us be courageous in the face of controversy and challenge.

Let us be definitive in our answers.

The time is now! The choice is ours! There are two paths!

Let us choose the Biblical path for the sake of our generation and the one to come.