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.

I am constantly amazed where I learn or pick up on phrases with such powerful meaning in leadership.

Last week I received an e-mail from a very good friend with the tag “let my words testify…let my actions magnify…let my heart glorify the Lord.”

As the words played over and over in my mind I could not stop thinking about spiritual leadership.

The words we speak, the actions we demonstrate, and the attitudes we portray become building blocks for our leadership.

A similar thought is expressed by the Psalmist in answering the question “O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?” The answer follows; “he who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

The church, the world, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and our family are all watching us. They measure our character by the words and actions displaying our attitude.

Spiritual leaders must constantly and diligently guard every aspect of life.

Let our words testify…Let our actions magnify…Let our hearts glorify the Lord.

Several have been credited with saying, “the urgent is seldom important and the important is seldom urgent.”

The thought raises questions as to what really is important and how urgent it becomes.

Spiritual leadership should always be concerned with developing proper priorities. It is not uncommon to reach the end of the day and wonder where the time went. We face the challenge of not accomplishing what we want or intended. Developing the right priorities involves understanding several areas.

Remember activity is not equivalent to achievement. We have all been busy and  yet, accomplish nothing.

A daily self-examination is vital to recognizing priorities and it is Biblical.

Write out a “to-do” list.

We know we should make to-do lists, but we often fail to follow through. However, our priorities take on a new look when we write out what to do.

They must be about “next actions.”

Prepare the night before.

Review first thing in the morning.

Stay focused during the day.

Add items as they occur or as needed.

A few simple steps and we will find ourselves accomplishing more each day and the priorities of life will find  their proper place.

Does leadership determine the culture, or does culture determine leadership? The answer is controversial.

I have examined the characteristics of culture from each decade over the last 90 years. I have also looked at the president who served longest during each decade. I compiled information about events and achievements to the present.

It seems there are times when culture determined leadership, as one might find in our present leadership. However, it would appear at times, leadership determined culture, as when Harry Truman led during World War II.

I find it interesting to see how the definition of leadership has changed from one decade to the next depending on the culture and leadership.

Consider the Biblically similarities. When men like Joshua led Israel, his influence led God’s people to remain loyal and faithful. However, we find the culture of Israel, at a divisive point in their history, selecting Jeroboam to be king, leading to idolatry.

While we may never reach a definitive answer, one thought is clear. God intends spiritual leadership to influence culture. I pray we arise to and accept the challenge with courage and boldness.

All homes need a tool kit. There will be trim to be nailed down, appliances to replace, electrical outlets or fixtures to install, etc.

I have learned the value of having a tool kit. However, it is not having a tool kit, but having the right tools in it.

Flat headed screws are hard to install with a Philips head screwdriver. It is impossible to tighten a 16 mm nut with a 32 mm socket, even if the tool is the most expensive and reliable. I believe you get the point.

Leadership is the same. Often a leader has a sincere heart, a desire to lead, and is skilled in several areas. However, if the leader is trying to plug in where he is unsuited, it will not work. Both the leader and followers quickly become frustrated.

One of two possibilities exist; either the leader must acquire the right tools/skills for the job; or two, the leader should pursue the area most suited to them.

When our goal is to achieve what is best for the group, the decision is clear. The general rule is 80/20, i.e. 80% of our time focused on strengths and 20% on weaknesses. Spiritual leaders need to develop their most suited areas and pursue them with a passion to serve God in the greatest way.