For Christians, hope speaks of a desire that includes expectation. When considering the promises of God, Christians know there is fulfillment.
Spiritual leadership is about hope. Our leadership must be characterized by a strong desire with expectation.
Listening, confident, learning, and conscientious leaders provide hope.
The very idea of “spiritual” leadership should exemplify the hope Christ came to provide all who would follow.
Joy is an important and unique quality needed in leaders.
Paul could sing praises at midnight while imprisoned for Christ. He wrote from prison to the church at Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, rejoice.”
The letter to the Philippians also helps us see what happens when someone robs the church of that joy (Euodia and Syntyche).
Paul’s joy was based on his relationship with God, not his external situation, but he did not want anyone taking joy away from the church. Therefore, he instructed them to “live in harmony in the Lord.”
One of our tasks as leaders today is to have and instill joy in the church.
Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.
The tougher an environment becomes, the more a leader’s need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, an awareness to the needs of others becomes evident.
A leader’s senses must be engaged, observant to the surroundings.
Their hearts must be touched with the situation of others.
The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.
Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to emulate Christ.
Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.
The tougher an environment becomes, the more our need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, the awareness of leadership to the needs of others becomes evident.
Leadership senses must be engaged, observant to the surroundings.
Their hearts must be touched with the situation of others.
The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.
Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to be like Christ.
Rarely do we examine our time and influence in leadership. When you look back on 2024 consider a few questions.
Were you a good steward of your time in leadership?
Are the lives of others better because of your influence and example?
How many souls did you reach for Christ?
Are you accomplishing your goals for the year?
What changes would you make to improve your leadership?
These are a few of many we should ask as enter the final quarter of the year.
Look back and consider how you will set the stage for next year. Ask a few questions and make the needed adjustments.
In the harshness of our present world, the power behind a kind word strengths the nature of leadership.
Speaking with kindness benefits every level of a leader’s influence. When a word is spoken with kindness several results occur.
The desire to achieve kindness benefits others.
The value or worth of the individual is raised to a level of importance.
The fruit of the Spirit develops into a more Christlike quality.
The goal of unity among brethren is exemplified.
The example of Christ’s sacrifice is characterized by our sacrifice.
The outreach to a world of non-Christians is built upon a foundation of love.
Ultimately, God is glorified.
Each day is filled with decision-making. Sometimes decisions are quick and easy to make. Other times they are difficult and require a great deal more thought.
We would understand that many decisions have little consequence: what to eat for breakfast, what clothes to wear, etc.
Other decisions, however, carry great consequence: the choice of a spouse, where we live, our occupation, raising children, etc.
There is one decision that is extremely consequential and that is the decision to follow Christ. This one decision should be the foundation for all decisions.
Determine how your decisions will influence others and if it will lead them to Christ.
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.
The Gospel of Matthew wants us 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.
Several terms used to describe the work of Jesus as the Christ include: shepherd, ruler, king, light, and healer.
Another is built upon the name, Immanuel––God with us. The true nature of relationships 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 leading others necessitates our being present in all our relationships.
The year is almost half over. How are you doing with your goals?
Our goals must be important and, at times, urgent?
If we have been procrastinating the necessary actions to accomplish our goals, we have no time to waste.
If we are waiting to decide what is most important, we have no time to waste.
With so much to do, people to lead to Christ, Christians to strengthen in faithfulness and personal growth, time is of the essence. No commodity is more valuable than our time.
Let us use the time God has given us wisely and never be known for wasting it.