Tag: Bible

Pursuing Shepherds

March 21, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Shepherds must diligently pursue sheep that struggle and wander away.

I’ve never known of a situation in the Bible where literal sheep went after other sheep that wandered off. Every time, it is the shepherd who goes after the one.

Another interesting fact is the shepherd did not wait for weeks or months to see if the sheep might come back to the fold. Shepherds check their sheep every night. If one is missing, the shepherd goes looking.

We understand this physically, but do not always see it practiced spiritually.

Shepherds must not allow sheep to wander off. They need to check on them, see where they are struggling, and find ways to provide needed assistance.

We need good shepherds.

Wisdom

March 11, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

The Bible is filled with many contrasts. Few seem as prevalent as the contrast between the wise and foolish.

Solomon said the wise quickly receive instruction.

Paul instructs us to act as wise men not as unwise.

Jesus indicated the wise to be those who hear His words and act upon them. The foolish hear His words and do not.

There should be much wisdom in spiritual leadership. Let us learn to receive good counsel.

Ultimately, our leadership is based on the direction we receive from the Lord. True wisdom listens to Him.

The Board

March 4, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A model of leadership has evolved that has influenced the church in some negative ways.

We often find that elders have become more like a board of directors that make decisions, but know little about “how” to shepherd.

Since most have only known this model, moving away from it will be challenging and require a new mindset.

A look at how the Bible describes shepherding will help, as scripture refers to Jesus as the Good Shepherd and the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

The leaders of God’s people are also referred to as shepherds. It seems fitting we would consider the role of Jesus to learn more to help those leading His people.

Shepherds

March 3, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

I’ve heard the term “elder” used for men appointed to oversee, manage, or pastor the church. The use of this term is biblical, as well as the various terms associated with it.

In recent years, the term shepherd has been used more frequently. Why this change? Does the use of one over the other help us understand more clearly the role needed today?

The idea of shepherding often brings Psalm 23 to mind where David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

While it is difficult for most of us to understand the literal work of shepherding sheep, the Bible reveals ideas that can help us think more about shepherds.

Hope

February 28, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Charisma is not the quality of self-centered leadership. Consider how much of our conversations focus on us, what we do, our family, our interests, etc.?

When leaders have charisma they add value to the lives of others. They give others hope.

While we need to know what the Bible says about sin, we need to remember the Bible is a book about hope. Jesus is our hope.

Inspiring devotion in others is built on the ability of leaders to provide hope.

The charisma of spiritual leaders is directly related to this ability. Pride, insecurity, and cynicism destroy the ability to lead others to this hope.

Learning Leaders

February 10, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Effective leadership should be immersed in learning. John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Our life is about learning.

There is no question about our leadership. We are going to lead. Now we need to know how vital learning is as part of our leadership. As we grow in our learning, we gain a greater understanding of others and our leadership of them.

How and what are we learning to improve our leadership? Read any good books lately? The Bible would be a great place to start. I recommend it!

A Beginning

January 30, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Plato is credited with saying, “The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

The way leaders begin the work has a far greater impact on reaching the overall goal(s) than we might care to admit.

It applies to how we begin a family.

It applies to how we begin each day.

It applies to how we begin a conversation with someone about studying the Bible.

It applies to how we begin a class, sermon or an article / post.

How important was the beginning when God created?

How important was the beginning when Christ came to this earth?

How important was the beginning of the church?

Success or Failure?

January 20, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Although the origin is unknown, I’ve heard several versions of this thought, “I do not know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

Many do not lead because they are afraid to fail. If everyone had this attitude, where would we be spiritually? If no one had the courage to lead, what would happen to the church? We know it is impossible to please everyone.

Therefore…

Lead with the Bible as the basis for all decisions.
Make decisions with confidence.
Communicate decisions clearly.
Express why the decisions are made.
Understand not everyone will like or agree with all decisions.

The Right Leader

July 30, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

We face a daunting task when determining what is right and who is the right leader to follow.

No greater qualities for leadership are identified today than those addressed throughout the pages of the Bible.

No greater example of leadership can be found than the example left by Jesus.

Dedicating ourselves to learning the truths provided by God and studying the example of Jesus will result in a godly leader.

We must lead with our eyes focused on Jesus and our hearts devoted to the following the depths of His teaching.

When followers have this example in earthly leaders, they will follow the right leader.

Qualities of Leading

July 22, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

The Bible provides a list of qualities for men who would serve in the role of a shepherd.

These qualities are in place to provide the necessary shepherding to keep the church pure and healthy.

While all Christians should strive for the applicable qualities, one does not have to possess all these qualities in order to be qualified to lead others.

Remember, leadership is about influence. We are striving to influence others for the cause of Christ. As a Christian, leading others is built on the blood of our Savior.

The stronger our faith becomes, the more our confidence grows, and the greater our influence becomes.

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