One of the greatest ways to spend time is listening to the imagination of children. From marrying Prince Charming to Belle dancing with the Beast to shooting a web as Spider Man, their imagination is refreshing.

We would never promote the idea of living in a fantasy world, but when it comes to leading others we need a little imagination.

The idea of imagination is about creative power. Leaders need creative power to lead others, to provide a better focus on the future and what can happen when we believe. When leaders create a vision for what can be and how to make it happen, people will follow. How do we know it will work? Look around, it happens everyday. This is the power of leadership!

We could learn a great deal from children by spending time in a world built by their own creative power. Their ability to see what is unseen, believe the impossible, act it out in their minds, and speak with incredible creativity would help spark a little life into our leadership. Try it and see how it works.

One of the essential components of leadership is vision. Each year leadership students are required to do an assignment where they interview a political, educational, cooperate, and religious leader. One of the questions they ask involves the most important quality to the organization: core values, mission, or vision.

It is fascinating to learn which leader claims vision to be the most important and to read their explanation.

In the construction industry, when leaders examine blueprints they must demonstrate an ability to see the finished product in their mind. Only when they see it in their mind can they follow the blueprint accurately.

Spiritual leaders must demonstrate the same ability. To help Christians reach the goals set before them, leaders must see what it looks like in their mind.

Casting this kind of vision before others will help them stay focused and energized for the journey.

Mistakes are easily made during the construction phases when there is no vision. As Solomon wrote, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” (Pro. 29:18). The same is true for both the construction of buildings and the growth of the church.

“To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach.” Unknown

Leadership thoughts are found everywhere. I appreciate friends who are constantly looking for and sharing these thoughts with me.

A few years ago, a good friend sat down to have some tea before going to bed and on the tea bag he read the quote above. He passed it along to me and I am sharing it with you.

The thought is powerful and has great application to our leadership. Think about it for a moment.

Leaders should constantly be students, learning from every possible source. Leaders should also understand the value of providing what they learn in a format that others are able to use for years to come. Write it down!

The last part of the thought is of such a nature it encompasses the whole of the thought. Most of us know this experience, and what we hear from others, demonstrates how the greatest amount of learning takes place when we teach. As we write down those thoughts in preparation for teaching we strengthen our knowledge of the subject. Teaching the material helps master the subject.

The hand represents a significant concept throughout scripture. In the Old Testament we read of a great contrast between 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 on the right hand of God. Here is the place of prominence and power.

James also instructs us to humble ourselves “under the mighty hand of God.”

What does this have to do with leadership?

The hand of leadership should not create fear, but 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 by the hand of a leader. May we all be faithful to the task set before us.

Epaphras is not a name that stands out when reading Scripture. Who is this man and why would he be a great Bible leader?

Epaphras is only found three times in the New Testament and two of the three are located in Colossians. The third location is in Philemon.

However, when we examine these three references, we find the answer.

Epaphras was a beloved, fellow bondservant of Christ, indicating he was loved, faithful, and a devoted follower of Christ.

He is noted as a fellow prisoner in Christ, indicating he suffered persecution for the sake of Christ.

The text in Colossians 4 identifies Epaphras as one who labored earnestly (wrestled) in prayer on behalf of these Christians.

These three statements clearly indicate why he is a great Bible leader. There is also a great lesson here for leaders today.

We do not need to be well known in the brotherhood to be a great leader. We need to be faithfully devoted to Jesus, willing to suffer for our Savior, and one who is diligent in prayer on behalf of others.

It sure sounds like a great leader.

To be brave is connected to showing courage. We live in a time that holds to a misconception about bravery. Bravery is not about a quality one develops or possesses. To be brave is an action taken at the moment it is needed.

Try to think of someone who considered themselves to have developed a quality of bravery. Rather, in those moments when the need existed to be brave, they demonstrated this characteristic.

Most who claim to be brave fail to demonstrate what is needed when the moment arises. Sadly, it seems to be easier for people to move on rather than act bravely. The church needs leaders who recognize the need of this moment and act with bravery.

When we look at the example of Jesus, we see the humble submission of the Son of God who laid down His life for the world. There has never been a greater act of bravery in history.

Today’s leadership is also about humble submission to the will of the Father and a willingness to give oneself in service to the kingdom.

We need to act bravely…now!

A blueprint provides the exact details for the construction of any structure. The greater the detail, the better the opportunity for a permanent structure. The same is true in leaders.

Last week we talked about the necessity of the right foundation. Today, we focus on the need to follow the blueprint.

This may not sound like much of a point, but think about the situation for a minute.

If someone plans to serve as a leader, they must first be a good follower. Jesus exemplified this principle, as did the apostles, and many others today.

If we are unable to follow the details of the blueprint, then how can we measure the success of our leadership?

Jesus called people to follow Him before He sent them into the world to lead others to Him.

When someone decides they know a “better” way than to follow the plan of our Lord, problems are on the horizon.

The better we follow the blueprint our Lord has provided for our leadership, the greater our success will be in the kingdom. Take the time to listen, learn and lead.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike

There is some powerful implication behind this thought for leadership.

We live in such a self-centered world. Our efforts and concerns tend to be primarily structured in a “what’s-in-it-for-me” mentality.

The selfish mindset is so subtly developed and so difficult to overcome. Reading the first line of this thought should motivate us to at least address the struggles of self. What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. Wow!

Think about the significance of this thought as it would relate to spiritual leadership. Our leadership will fail miserably and our legacy will be void of meaning unless we learn the last half of this thought.

One simple application, yet it summarizes the need for great leadership. All we do should be done for others and the world. This is what truly lasts. Think Souls!

Does this sound familiar? It should, but how does this connect to leadership?

We need to know our strengths and weaknesses. A fairly common thought in leadership is connected to these two areas. Leaders identify with the need to spend 80% of our time on our strengths and 20% on our weaknesses.

Wait! Should this not be the opposite? We need to understand that when we spend the majority of our time on our weaknesses, they may get stronger, but our strengths get weaker because we have not kept them sharp.

The basic idea is to spend the majority of our time continually working on our strengths, keeping them strong and growing. Then, find others who are strong in the areas we are weak and use their strengths to fill the gaps.

The challenge we face as leaders is learning to determine our strengths and weaknesses. We can take aptitude tests. We can ask others close to us. We can learn through trial and error.

However, we make the determination. Know yourself, work on the appropriate areas, and build a team to help the rest.

In thinking about different leaders found in Scripture, Barnabas stands out.

One of the reasons Barnabas was a great Bible leader is because of his example in generosity. The scripture indicates he sold some property and gave it to the apostles to help the needs of the early church.

However, his generosity is not what we want to notice about this great Bible leader.

Barnabas was the name given to Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth. By examining two specific incidents, we see why Joseph would have received this name, Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement.

First, after Paul’s conversion to Christianity, people were hesitant to believe the change, until Barnabas stood up and spoke for Paul.

Second, when Paul did not want to take John Mark on the next missionary journey, Barnabas was willing to give John Mark another chance.

In our leadership, we need to be like Barnabas. We need to be willing to stand up and speak for those who have changed their lives, and whenever possible, we need to give people another chance.

What an encouragement! What a need in leadership! Think Souls.