In the arena of communication, when writing a speech, sermon, article, or other medium, one of the critical components is the transition.

Transitions are sentences (written or spoken) that build a bridge between the various sections of our communication. These bridges make it easier for people to follow what we try to express.

There is more we could discuss regarding transitions, but our purpose is to think about the connection with spiritual leadership.

Our role as leaders is about transitions. We build bridges in three areas.

One, we build bridges in relationships. Unless we are able to establish and maintain quality relationships, our transition into spiritual matters will not exist.

Two, we build bridges for future leaders. As long as we exist on this earth, there will be a need for leadership. We must make this transition smooth.

Three, we build bridges to eternity. Ultimately, the task before us is to help make the transition from the physical realm to the spiritual.

Are we building bridges with the right purpose and in the right direction?

Studying Greek words in the New Testament can be an interesting adventure. A prior study   through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 was no exception.

In the early part of the lesson, Jesus speaks about the powerful nature of our influence, identifying His disciples as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

By using these two analogies, Jesus indicates the difference we should make in the world where we live.

Jesus uses an interesting term when He says; “if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything…”

The word used by Jesus was not the usual Greek word translated good. This word involves health, specifically good health.

When used in the context of the analogy and leadership influence, we find a powerful idea.

As leaders in the kingdom of God, our influence should be that which contributes to the spiritual health and well-being of others.

When heaven is the ultimate destiny, our leadership must be good for others to reach the destination.

“You need to aim beyond what you are capable of. You must develop a complete disregard for where your abilities end. Try to do things that you’re incapable of… If you think you’re incapable of running a company, make that your aim… Make your vision of where you want to be a reality. Nothing is impossible.” Paul Arden

Today’s thought is incredible. How sad to think that most people tend to live up to others’ expectations of themselves. Instead, regardless of what someone else might think, we need to aim high. When we grasp the concept presented by Paul in Ephesians 3:20, maybe, just maybe, we can develop a greater vision of what we can accomplish.

When leaders develop a proper vision, one that sees our God correctly and sees ourselves correctly, we are taking the right steps to fulfill something beyond our capabilities.

Instead of allowing fear to control or dictate the decisions that ultimately limit our abilities, we need to rethink what we want to accomplish.

Passionate leadership fuels the future of growth and achievement and when it does, impossibilities vanish.

While examining a few leadership websites, an interesting statement was found, “The Seven Most Important Words In Leadership.”

The idea is part of Terry Starbucker’s e-book Leadership From A Glass Half-Full: The 5 Lessons You Need To Learn Before You Jump Into The Pool.

The phrase is simply this, “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

The sad reality is we do not like the appearance of not knowing the answer. After all, we are the leader, right? Leaders are supposed to know all the answers.

Worse still is the attempt of too many of us who try to bluff our way through areas we know nothing anything about. Somehow we convince ourselves we can smooth talk our way through the discussion. Wrong!

The transparency of acknowledging when we do not know something and the willingness to find the answer is critical to great leadership.

First, others already know we do not have all the information, plus they know when we are bluffing. Second, greater credibility and trust is established when we are honest with others.

Learn these seven words and live by them.

David’s leadership exemplifies a number of great qualities. We should appreciate how God recorded the good in David and his character flaws. David will forever be remembered for his indiscretion with Bathsheba, adultery coupled with murder.

We do not want to make light of, nor ignore what is recorded about David. We should also remember he was a man after God’s own heart.

We could spend weeks with various articles, but we simply want to examine one area of David’s leadership: his respect for God’s will.

Even though David could have taken Saul’s life, and perhaps rightfully so, he respected God’s appointment of Saul as king of Israel.

Even though David was paying for the consequences of his sin, he understood and respected God’s answer in loss of his son.

Even though David was prepared to build a temple to honor God, he respected God’s decision that the temple be built by Solomon.

David was a man of great faith and one of the Bible’s great leaders. One of the reasons his leadership was great is because he respected God’s will.

The power of uniformity is based on developing the consistency, invariability, stability, and regularity that characterizes leadership.

These four words are the defining qualities of uniformity.

Our leadership must demonstrate the consistency of a life lived according to the message believed and proclaimed. Hypocrisy destroys leadership more quickly than anything else.

The invariability of leading without fail and without exception is critical to the success of strong leadership. No matter what the cost, invariably, leaders will show up.

Of all the qualities that describe uniformity, followers need leaders with stability. There is something significant about having a rock solid foundation. Stability provides followers with security.

Regularity demonstrates a leadership that is fixed, unchanging, and unvarying. There is power when leaders provide regularity. When others can count on their leader, they will follow…anywhere.

Uniformity is key to leading as God would have us lead today. While there may be challenges to developing and fulfilling these qualities, when we do so, our leadership grows stronger and lasts longer.

Various cultures around the world view or define success differently than other cultures. Oddly enough, even within the same culture, success is often defined differently.

Exploring the way God defines success is a bit more challenging, yet far more important to consider.

We cannot help but acknowledge that the most common factor defining success is quantitative. An increase identified with a specific number determines the measure of success achieved. Thus, from a corporate perspective, increasing the profit margin generally defines the success of the company.

An increase in the number of people assembling with the church on Sunday physically aligns with the idea of success as secularly defined.

We recognize the success of the 3,000 who were baptized on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-41). If we examine the context of Acts 2 and other passages throughout the Bible, we will find that the success of this event was not measured by the number involved, but by those who followed the word of the Lord.

When it comes to defining success, as God defines it, a good place to start is 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

“Earn your leadership every day.” Michael Jordan

The thought expressed here is extremely important, yet leaves us with an important question to answer: How? How can we earn our leadership every day? While it is not an exhaustive list, here are a few ideas to consider.

1) Ensure your life is consistent with your leadership.

2) Take responsibility for every word, decision, and action.

3) Lead in the fullness of core values.

4) Align priorities with goals.

5) Know what is worth dying for, and then live for it.

6) Help others reach their potential…always!

7) Learn to be an active listener.

8) Show others there is more to life than just “being right.”

9) Demonstrate the value of respect for yourself and others.

10) Understand the difference between image and reputation.

If we can begin applying a few suggestions, then our leadership will have immeasurable benefits to others.

Most leaders appreciate ideas for leadership and today’s post is no exception. Recently, a conversation about Moses when he stood on sacred ground revealed an idea about today’s leaders standing on scared ground. The thought raised two questions.

Why is leadership so scary? Answers to this question are abundant. Consider the responsibility of leading others spiritually with eternity in mind. Knowing that leaders deal with answering questions pertaining to goals, plans, maintaining morale, personality conflicts, providing resolution, etc., it does not take long to determine why the ground upon which leadership stands can be a scary place.

How do we overcome the scared ground for sacred ground? Spiritual leadership is a God-given role and He will help us overcome whatever challenges we face. Spending time in prayer will help us reach a more sacred footing rather than standing in a position of being scared. Studying individuals throughout the Bible, such as Hebrews 11, who were able to overcome with God’s help, will help us as we approach sacred ground.

It may not seem like much, but it is a start and sometimes getting started is half the battle.

The leadership of Joseph provides great spiritual lessons from Scripture.

Joseph endured adverse circumstances. He was rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, tempted, falsely accused, wrongly thrown into prison, and forgotten.

HOWEVER, the entire account teaches us wonderful lessons about spiritual leadership.

No matter what happens, God is always with us. Throughout the account of Joseph we find a key phrase; “and God was with him.” With each event in Joseph’s life we are reminded of this truth.

Remember God is always working toward a greater purpose. Joseph trusted that God was working for good, even in what appeared to be evil. God saw the ultimate saving of Israel, not just the well-being of Joseph.

Faithfulness will exult an individual and a nation. Joseph was eventually elevated to power over all of Egypt. This act led to the saving and development of God’s people.

These are powerful lessons in application for leaders today. If we can learn God is with us, He works in our lives for a greater purpose, and faithfulness will result in exultation, then our leadership is rooted in the right foundation.