Potential is often a word tossed around concerning the possibility of something occurring if the right conditions or circumstances are in place.

It is also used regarding the capacity of someone to become or develop into something in the future.

The challenge for leaders is to determine exactly an individual’s potential and the potential of the congregation where they serve.

Three basic areas exist when considering ways to determine potential.

The first area is actions. One of the best ways to determine potential is to examine the actions of the past. What has been done by the individual or congregation over the past five or ten years that lays a foundation for the future?

Another area is abilities. An individual or congregation cannot grow beyond their abilities. These abilities can change with training and practice, but considering the abilities that exist is a second key to determining potential.

The third is attitude. With the right attitude, nothing is impossible. When a positive attitude exists and the determination to achieve the goal, the potential is unlimited.

Potentially speaking, leaders can examine these three areas and set goals for the future.

Few people accept and welcome the idea of change, yet change is inevitable. The question to consider is what will we do to bring about the kind of change that enables our leadership to thrive?

Zig Ziglar refers to the 3 C’s of life: “Choices, Chances, Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.”

Leadership factors into every area of life. The choice we face is how will we use our leadership influence to help others reach their potential?

When the bottom line simply consists of financial numbers on a page, the traditional path is protective. We are only concerned with protecting ourselves. Leading others to reach their potential ceases to exist and whatever it takes to protect ourselves is all that matters.

However, there is an alternative. We can make a choice to take a chance. When this paradigm shift occurs the focus is a values-based leadership that invests in what is best for others, developing them to their potential.

The result positively affects the bottom line. This mental shift in thinking, however, is not a quick or easy journey, but the long-term results far outweigh the traditional approach.

“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.” Author Unknown

The reality of bad things happening is inevitable. No one is immune from the negative, discouraging, or “bad” that occurs, even if we simply chalk-it-up to perspective.

However, regardless of one’s perspective, the choice of what is done when these events happen is what makes the difference in our lives.

If difficulties define us, we tend to only focus on the drudgery of life and the poor hand we have been dealt, thus “woe is me.”

If difficulties destroy us, then life becomes little more than existence. Nothing is worth talking about or doing.

If difficulties strengthen us, we are better prepared to help others who face the same challenges and we are better equipped for the next difficulty that may come our way.

We should not seek difficulties, but if they come, let us use them as an opportunity to better prepare ourselves to lead.

“No matter what stage of development, we need spiritual companions – mentors and guides, friends and peers along the journey – in order to flourish over a lifetime of godly service” (Reese and Loane, Deep Mentoring, 179).

The need for mentoring should be obvious. We begin today with a consideration of Jesus’ mentoring as it unfolds in the gospel of Matthew.

This gospel highlights an interesting word: behold. Matthew wants the reader to pay attention and observe. The genealogical record, activity of angels, fulfillment of prophecy, and the involvement of dreams are all significant to the claim of Jesus as the Christ.

Terms used to describe the involvement of Jesus as the Christ include shepherd, ruler, king, light, and healer.

However, the key is built upon the name, Immanuel – God with us, the powerful nature of His presence. The true nature of mentoring involves being present. If God left the glory of heaven to be with us, to shepherd, rule, provide light, and heal, then we should also recognize that mentoring necessitates our being present and involved in the lives of those mentored. More tomorrow…

Adding value has become a catch phrase and a popular concept connected to the vision statements of several organizations. Leaders recognize that people are drawn to the idea of receiving something that adds value to their life.

From a leadership perspective, its serves us well to consider exactly what it is that adds value to the people we attempt to reach on a regular basis. The dichotomy between what we value versus someone else develops an interesting challenge.

What areas might be considered that add value to any person in any culture or generation? The answer may possibly be as subjective as what someone determines as valuable.

However, let’s consider a few possibilities.

Physically: Regardless of our nationality, we all have physical needs. When we provide for someone’s felt needs, we add value.

Emotionally: A bit more challenging, but high on the list today. When we demonstrate emotional intelligence toward others it adds value to their life.

Spiritually: Without a doubt, this is the most significant of the three. The greatest value we can add to someone’s life involves the spiritual connection with God.

I enjoy reading new material, especially when it focuses on passion. Most agree that passion is the difference maker to success.

Darren Hardy’s book, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, talks about “Four Passion Switches.” These switches are below with a snippet of what they reference.

Be passionate about what you do: This one is the most common. People talk about their passion for what they do, but maintaining this level of passion 100 percent of the time is challenging.

Be passionate about why you do it: The mission and vision that drives what a leader does adds another level to passion and when we understand why, passion increases.

Be passionate about how you do it: This switch represents going above and beyond, not just settling for good enough or the status quo. How speaks to the importance of quality.

Be passionate about who you do it for: Hardy refers to this as the “means-to-an-end” switch. Knowing who benefits: family, community, country, etc. drives passion upwards.

I am excited to read more and encourage you to find ways to increase your passion as a leader.

These three words play a vital role in the development of leadership, especially with regards to spiritual leadership.

Lou Holtz expressed it this way: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

The thought raises several questions: (1) What are we capable of doing? (2) What are we doing? (3) How well are we doing it?

Scripture indicates we all have abilities. God intends the church to utilize our abilities to function as He designed the church (Eph. 4:11-16).

Before motivation, think about our attitude. It’s like the “chicken or the egg” scenario. Does attitude determine motivation, or does motivation determine attitude? Either way, the choice of attitude is critical. We choose our attitude and if misguided, motivation suffers.

What really motivates us when we examine the leadership situation in the church today? Are we comfortable leaving it up to anyone who will lead?

It is time to step up. If we don’t, the future of church may rest in the hands of those who are incapable, misguided, and unmotivated. Where will that leave the church?

Few ideas are more significant than the need for survival. For some, the need to find a meal for the day is a matter of survival. For some, getting through the day with their life is a matter of survival.

Leadership survival is an area of great need within the church of the twenty-first century.

Leaders struggle to survive the challenges to their leadership in matters of faith and practice.

Leaders need to survive the false accusations to their character by dissenters.

Leaders must develop survival skills against the forces of division among change agents.

Survival is a priority when it comes to leadership.

Sadly, the survival of leadership involves “being shot at from both sides.” Satan is crafty at using those within and without to attack leadership.

How many times have we heard the idea “it’s lonely at the top.” While spiritual leadership is not about being “at the top,” there are a number of areas that qualify for the loneliness involved as a leader in the Lord’s church.

Perhaps this is why so few are willing to accept this vitally needed role.

Have you ever observed people at the mall, grocery store, bank, airport, or just driving down the highway. Who are they? Where do they live? Where are they going? Are they married? Do they have children…grandchildren? Do they believe in God?

The list of questions is endless. The number of people who live and travel everywhere is incredible, really more mind boggling.

The only way to know anything about them is to get involved in their lives. The challenge is taking that step. How can we lead someone to the Savior without this connection?

More than likely, we need to overcome some of our inhibition to take this step.

We need to overcome fear!

What are we afraid of the most? Rejection? Failure? Making a mistake?

The application of this thought is true whether talking to a stranger at an airport or a neighbor across the street.

Leading anyone to Christ involves the first step to move past our fear and connect to their lives. As challenging as the step may seem, the emotional connection of genuine love makes the difference.

Think Souls! Love People!

One of the greatest needs in our world and one of the greatest challenges involves love.

Without understanding God’s love for us we face the obstacle of how to lead others with love. I say this because God loves us for who we are and where we are, unconditionally. Unconditionally is what introduces the challenge.

As Christians who grow and nurture our relationship with God we can easily lose sight of our past life, a time when we were described as helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. In this condition, Paul says God demonstrates His love toward us.

Notice, Paul did not say demonstrated, as in past tense. The word is present active showing that God demonstrates His love now and it continues with no thought of coming to end.

To lead others to the love of God, we must demonstrate the nature of God’s love in ourselves.

We must show love even toward those who are not always the easiest to love. Is it easy? I cannot say it was for Christ, but He did so anyway. Therefore, we can do the same.