Through John’s writings we learn about the type of leadership he provided for the church. Several areas point to qualities of a great Bible leader and provide an example for us today.

Fellowship: John understood the value of fellowship among Christians and with the Lord. As he wrote to the church he emphasized the need for them to join this fellowship. He also urged them to walk in the light so they might have fellowship with God.

Vision: John knew the future of the church depended on men who were willing to work in the fields of harvest. He also knew it would take the church’s willingness to support such men.

Servant: John’s writings about Jesus as a servant were followed by his own example to the church. Reading through his letters and the Revelation show the qualities of servant leadership.

We need to encourage fellowship among God’s people and with the Lord. We should have and cast a vision for the future. Even though it goes without saying (and we have said it before) leaders are servants. These qualities make a great Bible leader.

Few ideas are more significant than the need for survival. For some, the need to find a meal for the day is a matter of survival. For some, getting through the day with their life is a matter of survival.

Leadership survival is an area of great need within the church of the twenty-first century.

Leaders struggle to survive the challenges to their leadership in matters of faith and practice.

Leaders need to survive the false accusations to their character by dissenters.

Leaders must develop survival skills against the forces of division among change agents.

Survival is a priority when it comes to leadership.

Sadly, the survival of leadership involves “being shot at from both sides.” Satan is crafty at using those within and without to attack leadership.

How many times have we heard the idea “it’s lonely at the top.” While spiritual leadership is not about being “at the top,” there are a number of areas that qualify for the loneliness involved as a leader in the Lord’s church.

Perhaps this is why so few are willing to accept the needed role within the church.

To lead the most unlikely, we have to see the unseen, or as they are often described, the invisible. What is meant by the invisible?

The invisible are people we cannot see. Why?

Perhaps it is the color of their skin, the type of clothes they wear, the home where they live (or lack thereof), the way they smell, of perhaps the lack of personal hygiene.

Maybe we do not want to see because we are afraid of the responsibility.

The possibility exists that we cannot see because of preconceived ideas. After all, they made their own choices, right? Why don’t they just get a job?

Have we ever pulled up to a stop sign / light and someone is standing with a sign asking for help? Do we look at them? Do we turn our head acting as if no one is there? Do judgmental thoughts run through our mind?

Before we start thinking yes, but…I am not talking about them or their motives. I am talking about you and me.

It is difficult to lead those who are invisible to us. Think about it!

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” John Wooden

Legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, is well know for his leadership ability as well as his written material on the subject.

The thought today strikes at the core of how we approach every area of our life, whether we apply it to the home, workplace, community, or church.

Too many times the approach is demonstrated by just enough effort to get by, not to do it right, and certainly not to excel.

When we consider the realm of spiritual leadership, or leadership in general, the results of only doing enough to get by are tragic. Souls are at stake! If we fail to do it right, there may never be enough time to do it over. Often times we only have one chance to make a good first impression, share the joy of the good news, or reach out to a fellow Christian who faces a “crossroad” in their relationship with God.

We need to recognize the need, but also the urgency, to do it right the first time.

Do we ever have times when we are, well, frankly…tired? Of course, we all do.

It may be a lack of sleep, stress at work, or family responsibilities. The list is long as to the causes of our fatigue. How can we deal with it and still be the leaders God desires of us?

Learn the signs. What are the signs of being tired? Frustration? Anger? Short in our response? Sleepy? Whatever the signs, recognize them.

Step back and think. If we know the signs, then when they occur, step back and think before speaking or acting.

Wait to make decisions. Neal Pollard explains how he learned to never make a decision on a blue day. When tired, our ability to make good decisions is hindered.

DO NOT QUIT! The temptation is to throw up our hands and walk out. Regardless of where our leadership responsibility lies, we must not give up.

God needs us to be leaders. We will have times when we are tired. Know the signs, step back and think, wait before making decisions, and please do not quit!

Several men are found throughout the New Testament that are named John. Each served a specific purpose.

However, one particular John draws our attention regarding leadership: the author of the gospel, three letters, and the Revelation. For the sake of space, we will identify him as the apostle John.

What do we learn from John’s leadership?

Love: John is commonly known as the apostle of love. His writings emphasize love, both a brotherly love and the self-sacrificing love of God. John’s love for the church is clearly noted in his letters.

Bold: John’s writings demonstrate the true nature of love as he speaks boldly about the honesty needed in view of one’s relationship with God and others. To claim we know God and not keep His commandments makes us a liar (1 Jn. 2:4). To say we love God and hate our brother makes us a liar (1 Jn. 4:20).

John’s approach is not unloving, but rather the opposite. He loved his brethren enough to help them see the need for a right relationship with God and one another.

Our leadership should exemplify the same.

This word brings several thoughts to mind, the most common of which involves putting one foot in front of the other.

Take a moment in a crowded place and watch people walk. Some walk slower / faster than others and most carry something.

Where are they walking? What do they think about as they walk through this moment in time?

The Bible also uses this word, but with a different meaning. Paul uses it in reference to a way of life, or conduct of life.

Paul instructs Christians to conduct their lives with certain qualities or attributes. He is not talking about a one time action, but rather a lifestyle, a way of living.

This word characterizes the whole of our leadership. Leadership is not about a one time event or activity. It must be a way of life demonstrated in the conduct of our life, lived before others in a way that influences the direction of others, eternally.

When someone tells us to go for a walk, perhaps we need to consider changing our conduct of life to lead as God wants us to lead.

Recently, the material involving outreach to those considered “less fortunate” emphasizes a great need in our world. Prayers are often expressed for those “less fortunate than ourselves.” It would help if we define this term.

A recent article discussed a church involved in a transformation in its membership, and the result was due to the prayer of the leadership.

The prayer was one of a simple nature. “Lord, bring us all those that nobody else wants.” Imagine the response when one by one several, that might be classified as “undesirable,” showed up.

If we believe the gospel is for all, then do we work to see that all have opportunity, not just to hear the gospel, but see it in our actions?

The path is not an easy one to walk. However, we are not called to lead only those who are lovable, but those considered unlovable also.

Take a moment to read through the gospels and notice the number of references to the outreach of Jesus. Who are these people? Why did He reach out to them? What was the result?

Are we listening?

“What I like most about change is that it’s a synonym for ‘hope.’ If you are taking a risk, what you are really saying is, ‘I believe in tomorrow and I will be part of it.'” Linda Ellerbee

An aversion to change is fairly common. For most, there is a fear associated with change. Perhaps it is because of uncertainty, or what it requires us to do.

Fear of change, however, is also associated with a fear of loss. With change comes loss, generally the loss of something held dear by those who avoid or reject change.

This may involve a loss of freedom, comfort, position, ego, and a thousand other areas, but the reality of this fear is powerful.

Imagine how different our approach to change could be if we saw it through the eyes of today’s post. What if change represented hope concerning our faith in tomorrow? Change is inevitable. Not all change is good; but not all change is bad either.

As leaders, a key driver in our leadership should be to instill hope in others and that will involve some level of change.

Answering questions can be challenging. Some questions can make us very uncomfortable, at least they do from a personal perspective.

How will we provide the answer in our leadership? To whom will we answer in our leadership?

The truth remains! We are going to lead, the question is where will we lead?

Are we leading others to a better life in this present world, or in relationship to God?

Do our words and actions provide a leadership of hope eternally?

Will keeping ourselves reclusive from the world lead souls to Christ?

Does a condescending message lead to the building up of the body?

Is it possible for our arrogance to lead others to humble obedience?

Will others view our leadership as serving others or serving ourselves?

Why are we leading?

This last question could be the most important question we answer.

Leadership is not intended to be disheartening or discouraging. We are challenged to lead in the greatest arena, with the greatest motive, for the greatest cause.

Where will we lead?