Several qualities are required of an organization in order to receive champion status.

They must be a team. People must work together for a common purpose in order to win.

They must be dedicated. When the goal is clear, people are committed, and plans are executed properly, victory awaits.

There must be ability. Combining one’s role with their ability encourages everyone involved.

There must be leadership. Teamwork, dedication, and ability are not enough. People need leadership.

In the spiritual realm, we are part of a team that is dedicated and abounding in ability. We need spiritual leaders to step up and provide the missing link.

At every level, leaders are in high demand, from the political to the spiritual arena. In time of crisis what should we do? There are several possibilities.

1) Do nothing.
2) Deny there is a crisis and continue on the same course.
3) Ignore the crisis hoping it will take care of itself.
4) Procrastinate and allow the wrong leadership to take control.
5) Address the crisis with a plan of action to change the direction of the future.

The obvious solution is clear. Developing a plan of action requires us to account for the following.

1) Acknowledge the problem(s).
2) Examine the severity of the situation.
3) Remove the element(s) poisoning the situation.
4) Develop a support system for current leaders.
5) Begin an immediate course of preparing leaders for the future.

We can change the future, but we must act and we must act now!

Three words connect spring to leadership.

Change: As the harshness of winter subsides, the change brought with the coming of spring is beautiful and necessary. Change can be good or bad. Change is necessary to reach our goals, and change is Biblical.

Instability: Instability generally results from changes winter ushers in with spring. Tornados, hail, lightening, and other unstable weather is common. Change does not come quickly, easily, or without resistance.

Life: The most beautiful part of spring is seeing all of nature regain life. After a dormant winter, spring rains and sunshine bring life. The change is amazing, even through the instability produced.

Our leadership should provide stability and assurance through the changes that produce spiritual life.

The Great Divide spans a distance between two objects physically, figuratively, and spiritually.

Abraham spoke of a great gulf between the rich man and Lazarus, so no one could cross over from one side to the other.

A number of areas arise to explain how a great divide is developed regarding spiritual leadership.

1) Pride: When people perceive a leader as prideful, their leadership is no longer effective.

2) Selfishness: A spirit of self-centeredness prevents a leader from seeing the possibilities in others and hinders growth.

3) Prejudice: To prejudge someone or a situation without proper information leaves a leader without good judgment.

The Great Divide can be an insurmountable barrier and destructive to our leadership. We must guard our words and actions to prevent it.

Are our goals self-serving, or do we strive for what is best eternally for the souls of others?

Do our decisions provide an advantage to our career and future, or better equip someone else?

Are we driven by an agenda, or a simplistic and pure love for the betterment of God’s kingdom?

When we study, do we strive to learn the truth or find a way to justify our position?

I wish it was easier, but it isn’t. Personally, I do not like answering these questions, but it must be done.

As spiritual leaders, we must examine ourselves honestly, admit mistakes, act Christ-like, and pray for God’s strength to do what is right. This is why it’s called the bottom line!

What would we change if we had a chance to do it over? How would we fill in the blank?

Would we change our words? Attitude? Actions?

There are two truths about our past: We cannot live in it and we cannot change it.

The way we approach this thought plays a significant role in our leadership.

As spiritual leaders, we must learn from the past and make the changes we need to make in the present. Upon making these changes we can move forward.

Never excuse or justify mistakes. Instead, acknowledge a change needs to be made and make it.

It is not the past we need to change, but the future. Whatever change comes to mind, now is the time to fill it in and change our course.

About the age of 4, children start asking one of the toughest questions to answer: Why? Anyone around small children knows they ask it over and over. And every time we answer, the response is, “Why?”

As parents, a quick and easy answer is, “Because I said so.” However, this does not usually satisfy enquiring minds.

As leaders, there are two questions we must answer before making decisions.

Why make this decision?
Why now?

The gavel symbolizes a legalistic leader, decisive and dogmatic.
The eagle symbolizes a presidential leader, representative and political.
The swastika symbolizes a dictatorial leader, aggressive and autocratic in power.
The crown symbolizes a kingly leader, superior and majestic.
The lamb symbolizes a gentle leader, patient under suffering.
The cross symbolizes a sacrificial leader, purposeful and loving.

While there are others, what symbol best represents our spiritual leadership?

Our leadership is worth the effort to make certain it is represented accurately and Biblically.

The rut is easy, comfortable, and expected.

We never seem to find the time to talk to a neighbor about Christ, because are busy with various family and work activities. Starting a Bible study would fill up another night. When we get home at night we are tired and we just want to sit down and relax.

However, our neighbors, the grocery clerk, bank teller, those in sales, and the waitress, all still need Christ.

We have to get out of the rut, get uncomfortable, and start thinking souls. We are spiritual leaders and our task on earth is to lead others to Christ.

We tend to view leadership from a corporate perspective. As a result, leadership in the home and church receives little, if any, attention.

Yet, how we lead in the home has an incredible impact, especially when we know that how we lead in the home has lasting effects on the future homes of our children. How are we modeling this role?

The present day church suffers from the lack of preparing leadership in the past. How we proceed will determine the strength of the church for our children. When and how will we prepare the next generation?

Instead of an inward focus (the business model of leadership), perhaps we need to think more about the future of the home and church. If we do, the other takes care of itself.