To cause to grow and become more mature or advanced.

If there was one word leaders need to understand for the success of the church, it would be develop.

Throughout the writings of the apostles, they continued to emphasize the need for the church to develop. Prayers expressed requests for God to help the church develop.

The goal of teaching was to present every person mature in Christ. God gave gifts to various individuals for the purposing of helping the church achieve unity and maturity in the faith. We also find the use of imperative language regarding Peter’s instruction for Christians to grow.

Developing faith in a relationship with God is a vital responsibility of leadership.

We must lead others to a greater love and understanding of the word of truth.

We must assist Christians in an understanding and involvement of their God given abilities in His service.

We must encourage the expression of God’s grace through sharing the love of Christ at the cross.

We must provide an example in all the above.

Leadership is about development. Let us get started.

Prayer is not about eloquent words or even the quantity of words. We can easily find ourselves searching to find words we feel are powerful and impressive. We can also fall into the trap of thinking we need to say more, as if the length of the prayer ensures God listens.

One of the greatest prayers in the Old Testament, and one of the shortest, is found in 2 Kings 6:17 where Elisha said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Elisha prayed that God would help his servant see beyond what the physical eye could behold to witness a battle far greater.

Imagine how different our efforts would be today if leaders were praying for others to see a spiritual realm of truth beyond what the physical eye can behold. The idea refers to seeing through the eye of faith to recognize the greatness of our God and the battle front that rages all around us.

The prayer of a leader moves the One who moves the universe. May He open all our eyes to see more clearly and fully.

“Each time we face our fears, we gain the strength, courage and confidence we need to move forward. It’s far easier to change things, than to change people. The real survivors in life are the ones who have the mental fortitude to press on even when the body wants to quit. Even if you don’t finish ‘first,’ you still need to continue on until you cross that finish line.” P.M. Chief DeMarks

The thought for today is a powerful sentiment indicating the need for endurance. One of the missing components to this thought involves the nature in which one finishes.

Yes, we would all agree it is not about finishing first, but it is about finishing well. Years ago the phrase was coined, “Finish like a runner.” No matter how slow the pace during the race, when it comes to finishing, finish like a runner, finish strong.

In leadership circles, the idea of finishing well is used to indicate the need to avoid the point of abandoning the faith and the purpose for which we lead.

Let us finish, but let us finish well.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” We are familiar with the words of this song, and December signifies its intent. We also know the words of our Lord, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Certainly, it is a time of year when our minds think about giving and receiving gifts.

What gift would be best suited for an individual on our list?

As we consider the nature of this time of year, in spiritual leadership there is a need for us to consider the words of Paul, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation. In a self-serving world, it is challenging to find those who desire more to give than receive. However, as spiritual leaders, our focus must be on giving of ourselves so others might be saved.

Our prayer as leaders should be focused on looking for ways to give of ourselves to help direct people to heaven.

Set the example.

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new to the Leadership Fund. Nestled in the idea of this principle is an understanding of influence. We are going to influence people everyday. Some we influence for what is right and others for wrong. The difference is bound up in the example we set.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying, “We must become the change we want to see.” To think we can demand of others what we are unwilling to do is to fall into a Pharisaical approach to leadership.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of servanthood leadership. The only time Jesus claimed to give an example to be followed was wrapped up in being a servant. He told the apostles on several occasions that the greatest among them would be the servant of all.

If we desire to be the leaders God needs today, then we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? We have heard the fairy tale and perhaps joked of the absurdity of a mirror responding to our requests.

The idea of “reflection” can refer to the consideration of events surrounding one’s life, but it is mostly associated with the image seen in the mirror.

However, have we looked in the mirror lately? The idea of looking into a mirror dates back to Biblical times.

Mirrors reflect the image standing before it. The concept can be literal or symbolic, physical or spiritual. James writes about the need to look into the mirror of God’s word and see if His word is reflected in our lives.

Sadly, mirrors often become a tool of vanity. Mirrors, however, also provide a benefit to those who take advantage of their purpose.

Spiritual leaders need to desperately look into the mirror of their leadership. The image reflected helps determine the core of our existence and what we desire to accomplish.

Look intently. Examine beyond the surface. Make the changes needed. Lead with a purpose based upon our true reflection.

Reading through the prayers of the Bible provides incredible insight into the relationship between these individuals and God.

On more than one occasion Hezekiah expressed his petitions at the throne of the Almighty God.

The purpose of our post, however, is not his prayer, but a phrase used in connection to his approach. Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and 2 Kings 19:14 tells us that he “spread it out before the Lord.”

Facing the destruction of Jerusalem by the king of Assyria, Hezekiah knew he needed to take the situation before God. Not only did he bring it before the Lord, he spread it out before Him. Nothing concerning the threat of destruction was left unaddressed.

Even though God was aware of the situation, Hezekiah still spread it all out before the One in control of all things.

A great lesson in leadership exists here. When we face difficult circumstances, instead of trying to resolve the matter on our own – often to no avail – imagine the difference made by trusting in the One who has complete control. Spread it all out before Him.

“Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.” George Arliss

Spiritual leadership understands the need for humility and there is much we could focus on regarding the affect of humility in leadership. However, the last part of this quote deserves attention.

Preparing our minds for all the possible changes in life is a significant thought to consider.

We are all aware how life is full of changes. Life is constantly changing.

If we knew one secret to prepare ourselves for those changes, would we seek it, take it, and apply it in our lives? Of course, we all would. This is why the value of this quote should be appreciated.

Humility is the one secret to make this preparation.

Developing humility is a lifelong endeavor to achieve.

Humility recognizes our need for God.

Humility works each day at putting the needs of others above our own needs.

When the changes of life come along, our humility will enable us to approach the change with the wisdom to deal with it appropriately.

Before we speak, write, or act, think first. Two words simple enough to say, yet so difficult to follow.

We live in a reactionary world. We tend to react to circumstances. Life is unfair, so we react. Someone speaks inappropriately and we react. Others take advantage of us and we react.

Leaders must learn how to act. The only way to learn this lesson is to “think first.”

Before we put a word out through social media, think first. How will others perceive what we write?

Before we speak regarding family, personal, or professional matters, think first. Once words are spoken we cannot take them back. We can apologize, wish we could take them, or try to explain, but the bottom line is it’s to late. Think first.

The same is true with our actions. Before we decide to act on any given situation, think first. Remember others are watching. How will they perceive our actions? Will others know the intention of our heart based on what they see?

It is only two words, but two powerful words that need application. Think first!

Make sound and timely decisions.

We have talked about being decisive in the past. The principle is timeless. However, there are two key elements to this principle we need to develop.

The first is the idea of “sound” decisions. The soundness of a decision is subjective based on the moral compass of the individual. From a spiritual leadership perspective, the soundness of one’s decisions will be based on a Biblical compass. The word of God provides spiritual leaders with the foundation upon which all decisions are made.

The second involves the word “timely.” We have all heard, and perhaps experienced, the idea of “timing is everything.” With much prayer, spiritual leaders will seek to make decisions in keeping with God’s timing. Our impatient, or even impetuous, approach to decisions can create more difficulty in our leadership. Learning to wait for God’s timing to develop will help us greatly in making decisions.

When we make decisions that are both sound and timely, our leadership develops greater credibility. We should also remember that the ability to make sound and timely decisions more consistently comes with the gaining of wisdom.