Our vision of the future rests on the foundation of our faith in the Almighty God.

At the same time, a visionary leads with the future in mind. From a spiritual perspective, nothing is more important than what the eternal future holds for Christians.

However, on a more pragmatic level, leaders need to consider what the future of their leadership looks like.

Will the future hold growth and development for the church or will it be stagnant?

Will the future be a place where vision points to a stronger or declining leadership?

Will the future exist because of the visionary ability of our leadership?

Asking questions can be unending, yet in the end, we must consider the necessity of planning today to ensure the future of growth and stronger leadership.

The future of leadership must be built on prayer.

Leaders should prepare for the future with God’s word as a guide.

Tomorrow’s leaders must be encouraged today in order to be ready.

What does the future look like? Following these three steps makes the future look pretty bright.

Occasionally, an interesting thought finds its way into the leadership folder that must be shared. These thoughts connect to the direction of leadership, especially as it relates to how we respond in relationships.

Kimberly Jones shares this short but significant thought, “Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.”

What direction is the pull in our leadership? Do we find ourselves pulled into the storms raging in the lives of others, or do we seek to pull them into the peace only found in Christ?

Here are a few suggestions when we face these situations connected to Matthew 14:22-33.

1) We must first be at peace ourselves. When storms rage in our lives it is difficult to help others.

2) Make sure to point people to Jesus––to focus on Him––especially in the midst of their storm.

3) Offer a hand up, not a handout. The way up occurs when we assist, rather than do the work for them.

4) The best course is faith, always has been and always will.

Trust is critically important to the direction of our pull.

One challenge spiritual leaders face today involves decision-making to please everyone. Usually, the “squeaky wheel” gets the grease. Those who complain the most and loudest tend to get action.

Marco Rubio says, “We live in a society obsessed with public opinion. But leadership has never been about popularity.”

Leaders often struggle with decisions that might cause someone to leave the church and go somewhere else or abandon it altogether.

Leaders are needed who will practice the following: 1) examine the scripture to make sure the decision is biblical and not just following the flow of modern popularity or opinion, 2) never rush a decision, but do not hesitate between two opinions either, 3) if the decision is right, then make it, 4) remember, not every decision will please everyone.

The next generation of leaders must learn how to make sound, biblical decisions. There may be those who leave, but if the decision is for the greater good of the whole, it should be made.

More could be said, but the responsibility of training the next generation of leaders to be decisive is crucial to the future.

Communication is critical to the success of building relationships and reaching goals.

Leaders who communicate well are able to articulate the vision, inspire the actions of others, and strengthen the character of an organization to achieve long lasting rewards. This is where good communication thrives.

However, the foundation for these three areas is built upon knowing the people involved in the work, and this requires the ability to actively listen.

Several hindrances occur when trying to listening to others: 1) we are waiting for an opportunity to speak what is on our mind. We are not listening, but formulating our own thoughts, 2) we are distracted with the activities of the environment and cannot, or will not, focus on what is being said, or 3) we really do not care about the other person.

If we have any hope of preparing the next generation of leaders, we must listen. Remove distractions, focus on the person speaking, and truly listen. When we do, amazing results occur.

Leaders will build stronger relationships, encourage followers, and take steps to achieve goals that build the overall organization.

The second step to leadership in the next generation involves determination. The challenges connected to leadership often cause leaders to a) step out of the leadership role, or b) never enter into a leadership role.

No area in life is going to be perfect or smooth, such is life.

As well, we should remember that God never promised a carefree or problem-free life. If anything, God ensures us that life is going to be filled with problems, difficulties, and suffering. Therefore, we must prepare the next generation with the determination to deal with these challenges.

True leadership learns how to deal with challenges with the most godly, Christ-like attitude possible and equip others to lead in the same manner. A few suggestions to consider include the following.

Rely upon God for guidance in approaching these challenges.

Develop a strong determination to lead no matter how difficult the road.

Seek help from seasoned leaders who have faced difficulties.

Above all, understand they are only temporary.

God provides hope for better days ahead. Let us lead with strong determination and help the next generation to lead equally so.

Every day is a gift and how we use the day makes a difference not only in our own lives, but everyone we meet along the way. Frank Bucaro said, “This is the beginning of a new day. I have been given this day to use as I will. I will use it for good, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain and not loss; good and not evil; success and not failure; in order that I shall rejoice in the price that I paid for it.”

Please take a moment to read this expression again.

There is no need to comment further on the depths to be learned from the value of each second in every moment of the day we are given.

If leaders learn to follow the implications expressed by Bucaro, their leadership will abound in blessings far beyond what could be summarized in any additional comments.

Take a moment to read the question with an emphasis on each word separately.

What can we do? What can we do? What can we do? What can we do? 

Anthony Robbins said, “What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”

What do we really believe about ourselves? Do we limit the power of God because we think too small?

Another thought comes from a sign seen a few years ago: What would we do if we knew we could not fail?

Before answering, think about the implications, because with God we cannot fail. An old Chinese proverb claims “limitations are the boundaries we place in our own minds.”

With God, all things are possible. The difficulty for most leaders involves knowing what they believe about themselves, then recognizing that, with God, we can do all things.

We must not only believe it, but live as though we believe it and infectiously influence the lives of others to believe it also.

This is leadership!

To remember is to have an ability to bring to one’s mind an awareness of someone or something that has been seen, known or experienced in the past.

The challenge is how to deal with memories when they come to mind.

Memories are good and bad. There are times, events, and people that we remember fondly because of the joys experienced with them.

There are also times, events, and people we wish we could forget because of the negativity associated with them.

The manner in which we react regarding the recall of those memories influences how we are seen as leaders and the leadership we provide for others.

It would be wonderful if the only memories that came to mind were positive and fond. However, we are all aware it does not work this way.

Memories serve to help us remember both, so we can learn to do a couple of important steps.

1) Repeat what works and is successful.

2) Avoid negative consequences experienced and overcome.

If we can remember to do so, the future will hold greater memories when we recall them.

To be observant as a leader should go without saying. The power associated with an observant leader is deeply tied to its definition.

Alert: When leaders are alert, they are quick to notice anything unusual or potentially dangerous. Various situations will require leaders to be alert and act quickly. The spiritual battle that rages is one that requires leaders to be alert.

Watchful: Leaders who are carefully watching others and the situation are said to be watchful. Followers need those who are careful to look over the lives who are entrusted to their care.

Aware: When there is a knowledge or perception of a situation or fact, leaders are aware. The challenge for leadership is learning to be aware of the background influencing the decisions, actions, and words of others.

Attentive: How fitting is it that to be attentive, leaders must pay close attention to someone or something?

Other ideas could be used, but the basis for which leaders successfully lead is found in being observant. Observant leadership is not easy, it requires diligence, time, patience, and great love.

Love is a word in the English language that has come to have multiple meanings. Most often it is associated with feelings. When couples first date and then marry, the feelings experienced are associated with their idea of love. Sadly, when those feelings change or no longer exist they think they do not love the other person any more.

Biblically, love is so much more, it is about seeking the highest good for the other person. Love cannot be self-directed and direct the actions of others.

When leaders do this, it is generally because selfish motives. Again, this is not love.

When leaders truly understand and lead out of love for the souls of others, there will be sacrifice and determination to see that others find a way to reach heaven. A couple of ideas might help in leading out of love:

Love gives without expecting to receive something in return.

Love seeks opportunity to serve in all situations.

Love desires the best for others, even at the cost of personal comfort.

Let us always lead out of love and know the power it brings to leadership.