Tag: God

Facing Challenging Changes

In our lifetime, the church has experienced several changes. Some changes have been good and some destructive. While changes occur today, it is safe to say, more changes will come.

Paul Harvey said, “In times like these it is good to remember that there have always been times like these.”

Solomon originally expressed it this way, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Leaders will always face challenges. It may be a different generation, culture, gender, age, or time of day, but challenges will come.

Let us seek God’s counsel and listen to His word. Here we will find the true answers to solve the challenges we face.

Development

One word leaders need to understand for the success of the church is develop.

The apostles continued to emphasize the need for the church to develop. Prayers expressed requests to help the church develop.

Developing faith and relationship with God is a vital responsibility of leadership. We must do the following:

Lead others to a greater love and understanding of truth.

Assist Christians in an understanding and involvement of their abilities in His service.

Encourage the expression of God’s grace through sharing the love of Christ at the cross.

Provide an example in all the above.

Leadership is about development. Let us get started.

Humility

If you knew the one secret to prepare yourself for the changes of life, would you seek it, take it, and apply it in your life? I know you would. We all would. Well, humility is that one secret.

Consider this thought by George Arliss, “Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.”

Humility acknowledges total dependence upon God, but it is developed over a lifelong.

Humility works each day to put the needs of others above our own personal needs.

When life happens, humility enables us to handle it appropriately.

A Normal Leader?

The thought sounds crazy, right? Can a leader be normal?

Maybe we should define normal first. Regardless of how we define it, there is nothing normal about spiritual leadership. Why? 

Because spiritual leaders…

are concerned about their influence inside and outside the church.
consistently live what they believe.
know God’s mission involves helping people get to heaven.
work for a cause greater than themselves.
share in planning and developing goals for spiritual maturity.
produce results that glorify God and fulfill His will.

Therefore, spiritual leaders are those who live consistently, knowing the work they share in produces God’s desired will. Does that sound normal?

Compass

A compass is designed to point us in the right direction.

The idea of a moral compass applies the same concept to right or wrong behavior and would connect to a standard that points direction for one’s behavior or conduct.

The standard by which our moral compass must be calibrated is God’s word. If God’s word provides the basis for our moral compass, then personal opinions have no place.

The battle front is everywhere: television, movies, marketing ads, internet, and every direction we turn.

It is challenging, no doubt, but the result will make a difference.

Trustworthy Communication

One of the key principles of leadership involves communication.

When leaders do not keep others informed, suspicion grows, distrust blossoms, doubt develops, and anxiety raises its ugly head.

Spiritually speaking, there is a great need for Christians to be informed by leadership.

What kind of information needs to be provided?

Information about plans for the future, changes to be made, challenges or hindrances facing the plans, and existing needs.

When leaders communicate, trustworthy and loyal relationships develop. It is time for God’s leaders to lead.

Changing Influence

Think about your leadership. How will your influence be remembered in the church and community where you live and serve?

Harry Truman said, “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Will you be remembered because you made a change for the better?

Will your leadership impact the eternal good of others?

If it seems the world stands still around you, maybe it is time you stood up to lead. Seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Lead as God would have you do!

Spiritual Direction

Leading with the head and heart can introduce numerous challenges. Although both are needed, caution must be exercised.

Many pilots fly by what is known as IFR (Instrument Flying Rules). IFR involves relying on a plane’s instruments instead of one’s own senses. Certain conditions can create a false sense of direction when relying on what one can see, which potentially leads to pilot error.

A leader’s task involves providing direction for others. In order to provide the right direction, preventing error, they must use the God-given instrument available.

God’s word is the only instrument needed in order to provide true spiritual direction.

Zeal

We cannot read Paul’s letters without connecting the word zeal or zealous to him.

To be zealous is to have great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

God’s grace in our lives should create a zeal driven to lead those who are outside of Christ to Him.

Our leadership can fulfill many purposes from caring for the underprivileged to encouraging the faithful.

Both are essential!

Little compares to fulfilling the purpose of leading those who need the Lord into a relationship secured by God’s grace.

Setting the Example

Nestled in the idea of an example is understanding our influence as leaders. We influence people everyday. We influence people in what is right or wrong. The difference is bound up in the example we set. 

Setting an example is associated with consistency. Mahatma Ghandi and others are noted for saying we must become the change we want to see.

Setting the example is also associated with servanthood. The only time Jesus said, “I gave you an example” was connected to being a servant.

If we want to be who God desires, we need to understand the significance identified with our example of leadership.