Tag: God

Decisive Leadership

There are two key elements to being decisive we need to develop.

The first is the idea of sound decisions. The soundness of a decision is going to be subjective based on the moral compass of the individual. From a spiritual leadership perspective, the soundness of one’s decisions will be based on a Biblical compass.

The second involves the word timely. We have all heard, and perhaps experienced, the idea of “timing is everything.” With much prayer, spiritual leaders will seek to make decisions in keeping with God’s timing.

When we make decisions that are both sound and timely, our leadership develops greater credibility.

Directional Leadership

I find it easier to determine direction in some areas in the world than others. In Denver, the mountains are west. In Virginia Beach, the Atlantic Ocean is east.

Other areas make it challenging to gain a sense of direction. Without some geographical marker, identifying north from south or east from west is nearly impossible.

Pilots use IFR (Instrument Flying Rules). IFR relies on the plane’s instruments instead of one’s senses. Certain conditions can create a false sense of direction causing pilot error.

Leaders have the task of providing direction for others. They must use the right instrument.

God’s word is the only instrument needed if we are to provide true spiritual direction.

Prayer of a Leader

Too often, prayer is used like a spare tire; we pull it out of the trunk when something goes wrong and we need a little help until everything is patched up.

Prayer is also seen a last ditch effort when everything else we try fails.

Prayer is the beautiful expression of a heart that beats in rhythm with God. Leaders understand the need to walk in relationship with God. Thus, leaders find themselves in constant communication with the One who leads us all.

Consider men like Enoch (Gen. 5), Noah (Gen. 6), Abraham (Gen. 12), the prophets, and apostles, who led lives in harmony with God.

Prayer

We communicate with God through prayer. Our approach to God is significant when thinking about prayer. Consider the apostles who desired to learn how to pray (Lk. 11:1).

We need reverence when approaching God’s throne to speak. Without a doubt, He is to be revered and lifted up by our hearts through the words expressed from our lips.

However, this is not the only approach found in scripture, and the model prayer was not intended to be a formula used in every prayer.

Prayer signifies a relationship and leaders need to understand more fully the relationship represented through prayer.

Change

Why does the idea of “change” create such fear on the part of so many people? One possible answer is the idea that change brings something negative or bad. Change is also associated with introducing liberalism.

Change, however, can be a positive, powerful, and necessary approach to growth. Mandy Hale says, “Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing.”

Change is biblical; we call it repentance. It still means change.

Our fear of change must not stifle us from achieving all that God can do through us if we will but change.

Caught in the Middle

A strange feeling exists when we are caught between a rock and a hard place? The idea is being caught in the middle. The middle brings interesting thoughts to mind.

There are those who are caught in the middle, between two friends.

There are children who are in the middle, born between two siblings.

There are followers of Christ who, religiously, walk in the middle of the road, neither one side or the other.

However, leaders cannot afford to be in the middle of the road regarding God. Leaders need dedication and confidence to move others from point A to point B.

Abnormal Spiritual Leaders

Normal in one culture will certainly be different in another culture. As well, normal in the mind of a child will not be normal in the mind of an adult.

Regardless of how we might think about a normal life, there is nothing normal about spiritual leadership.

Spiritual leaders…

are concerned about the nature of their influence.
live consistently with what they believe.
know the mission.
work for a cause far greater than themselves.
share the planning and development of the goals.
produces results that glorify God and fulfill His will.

Look at how the first word of each thought develops a spiritual leader.

Knowing God

God’s people rejected a knowledge of God, His law, statutes, and commandments. Every time this occurred they were punished.

Jesus claimed that eternal life was based on knowing God and knowing the One sent by Him, Jn. 17:3. Peter reminds us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ,” 2 Pet. 3:18. One of the most significant references about knowing God was written by Paul to the church at Philippi, Phil. 3:7-11.

Spiritual leadership is built on the foundation of knowing God. While I cannot fully address every area related to the subject, this lifelong journey challenges us to focus on that goal.

Finding Value

The world finds meaning, value, and purpose in what we do (success, acts of kindness or generosity, etc.), what others think or say about us, and what we have (health, good family, material possessions, etc.).

The challenge is recognizing the balance of thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves. We need proper perspective.

Our value comes from God. We were created in His image. We are His beloved. When we understand this, we will stop looking for value from any other source.

Leadership requires an ability to find the right perspective on self-value, but also to help others gain the needed perspective of their own value.

Where to Turn

Everything learned about leadership simply indicates there is more to learn. The amount of information readily accessible is overwhelming.

There is no end to the books, articles, blog posts, and classes available on the subject.

Where will leaders find the help to grow in their leadership?

Turn to God. The best leadership book available is the Bible.

Turn to other godly leaders. Seek the help of others and learn at their feet.

Turn inward for reflection. Reflect on how God continues to work throughout the journey.

These do not exhaust the possibilities, but they do provide benefit from each learning moment.