When David made this statement he concluded it by saying; “when I call to You.”

David was pleading with God to give heed to him. He desired an audience with God and wanted Him to listen intently with an understanding that moved the Creator into action.

A key characteristic of spiritual leaders is prayer. The avenue of prayer is significant to leadership for a couple of reasons.

First, leaders understand the need to communicate with the One who is in control of all things. To have an audience with God yields the greatest power in every situation. The desire is for God to listen and act upon the requests brought to Him.

Second, understanding how communication works with God also helps leaders understand the need for effective communication with others. In leadership, others need to know their voice is being heard and that leaders are attentive to their call.

Communication is a noteworthy subject in every relationship. While it applies to leaders, it also applies to everyone.

When leaders are effective communicators issues are resolved more quickly and progress results.

Before we begin thinking about the early stages of evolutionary development, the idea behind this word also carries the impetus of something that is essential or foundational.

Nothing could more essential than spiritual leadership. Nothing could be more foundational to eternity than spiritual leadership.

How does the idea of primal apply to the surroundings of leadership?

Primal comes from a Latin word meaning “first.” The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life: intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

When thinking about leadership, the need is evident to understand the primary / first elements that must be in place for the success of our leading.

A few elements that are building blocks for all leaders: integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

There will always be additional elements to include, but these are the “primal” of leadership.

Using these as a foundation, leaders can build strength and character that provides hope for everyone who follows. Think Souls!

Something happens during the transition from being a follower to a leader. One of the myths about leadership is that when one reaches this position, they can focus on themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Leaders should be cautious about what they say, how they write, and the influence they have when leading others.

When our speech (spoken or written) is filled with personal pronouns, e.g. “me,” “myself,” and “I,” then leaders need to step back and evaluate what, or perhaps more appropriately, who they are promoting.

The strength of true spiritual leadership must always be focused on the good of others, even at the expense of self.

When Jesus was teaching the apostles about being a servant (Jn. 13), He used the term love regarding the new commandment. The powerful influence of this type of leadership is that all people will know we are His disciples if we have love for one another.

How are we demonstrating love if our words and actions betray that love for the purpose of serving self?

Leadership is filled with its challenges, not the least of which is “self.”

“You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.” Colin Powell

One of the most frustrating challenges in relationships involves both sides of today’s thought.

The challenge is even more complicated from a leadership perspective. On one hand, it would be easy to make someone else’s choices for them. After all, a leader is supposed to have the answers, right?

On the other hand, if leaders were making decisions for others, others would be positioned to make choices for them.

When leaders make choices for others there is always a possibility of resentment.

When leaders make choices for others, a certain expectation can be created.

Making choices for others can also lead to an unhealthy dependency.

Leading is about relationships and leading others involves helping them make the right choices, not making those choices for them.

Leadership has the potential of influencing others for a greater purpose. Let us always lead with the desire to help others see the choice of heaven.

By definition, a catalyst is “a substance that increases the rate of chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.”

When a leader serves as a catalyst amazing developments can occur. Over the next few weeks we will examine the characteristics of a catalyst with the intent of improving our ability as leaders.

The characteristic this week is one of helping others.

In their book, The Starfish and the Spider, Brafman and Beckstrom researched several areas concerning leadership and the qualities of a catalyst.

Consistent with each was their desire to help others. Reading through the examples provided, connecting the idea to a spiritual catalyst seemed a natural result.

Spiritual catalysts are able to effect powerful influence because they desire to help others.

Catalysts help others see their potential in the Lord’s kingdom.

Catalysts help others implement plans to reach their potential.

Catalysts help others connect with people who can assist them reach their potential.

The need for catalysts is significant in the development of the Lord’s kingdom. Next week we will consider another characteristic.

David appears to be questioning his own despair and why his soul is disturbed within him. The response is one with great application to leadership today: “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.”

Two thoughts surround David’s emphasis in this Psalm.

The first is the hope that is only found in God. When leaders place hope in their own abilities, or the abilities of others, disappointment results when they are let down. When their hope is placed in possessions, discouragement is left with when those possessions deteriorate or they are stolen. Therefore, the only source of hope that will never disappoint or discourage us is God.

The second is the expression of help that comes from God’s presence. Scripture reminds us of the omnipresence of God. We are comforted by knowing that He is in all places at the same time. There is no place where God is not. His control over all things and presence in all places provides comfort and confidence.

Leaders must always lead with hope in God and the help of His presence.

One of the most critical areas in leadership involves an understanding of confidentiality. While there is an application to all Christians, leaders must know how to keep something in confidence.

While several thoughts stand out when thinking about confidentiality and the benefit to leadership, leaders should always remember that confidentiality is about a sacred trust. Followers need to know they can place their feelings, even their very lives, into the hands of someone they trust.

1) When leaders keep confidentiality, relationships are built with resilience of character.

2) The ability to keep something in confidence makes leaders approachable.

3) The value of keeping a confidence strengthens the bond of relationships.

4) Confidentiality is a privilege that provides guidelines for developing greater leadership.

5) Keeping a confidence grows a more Christlike character.

Confidentiality is critical for leaders. They must guard what has been placed into their sacred trust. When they do, the resulting development of character builds a leadership worth following.

Have we ever considered the answer to this question? This is a common question asked when…

…principles have been compromised and the consequences are greater than expected.

…plans are not implemented and the impending results end in failure.

…guidelines are not recognized and chaos emerges within the organization.

…tragedy strikes and no steps were taken to prepare for the event or outcome.

The list could go on, but the point is the same. When we find ourselves at a place we did not intend, desire, or plan for, we wonder “how did I get here?”

The question is legitimate. However, knowing how we get where we are is the not the question we should ask and answer.

The question we need to ask and answer is: what are we going to do now to move forward?

We are not taking anything away from the benefit of learning from the journey. How we got here is important, but it is more important to know what we do from this point.

As spiritual leaders, we need to help guide those who find themselves in difficult circumstances to a better place of hope.

“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.” Wangari Maathai

This quote is part of a lecture given by Mr. Maathai upon receiving the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.

Within it there is a plea for leaders to provide the type of leadership that gives hope, the type of hope achieved only through higher morality.

The only way this higher morality can really be long lasting is through understanding, faith, and a practice that respects the authority of God and His word.

Without the proper respect for God and the influence of His word, what purpose would there be for achieving a higher morality?

However, on the basis of both, all of humanity has a reason to change.

This is the summation of our leadership. Twelve years have passed since this thought was expressed and it is just as needed today.

These two words can often represent a very thin line when determining various practices facing leadership.

There is a difference in practices that make someone uncomfortable versus something being unscriptural.

The challenge for leaders is to recognize the difference, but how?

Know the book. When knowledge of God’s word is weak, leaders will not know if something is biblical or not. While it may seem obvious, the foundation needed is knowing the book!

Seek wisdom through prayer. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools and too often neglected. I am not talking about prayer before a meeting, but a “without ceasing” approach to seeking God’s help on decisions.

Ask the right questions. What does the Bible say about this matter? Is this practice tradition? Should this be continued? How will it effect the church? When and how should this be discussed with the church?

Be patient. No decision should be made in one meeting. Study, pray, and ask the right questions. Give it time, but be careful not to procrastinate.

Following a few guidelines will help leaders make the right decision on matters that are unscriptural versus uncomfortable.