We all make them. We say and do things we wish we had not, and there are no “easy” or “do-over” buttons. The opportunity to receive another chance depends on how we handle the mistake.
Acknowledge it.
Take responsibility.
Evaluate every possible solution.
Take appropriate action.
Act quickly!
When we approach our mistakes with humility and a decisiveness toward appropriate actions, there is opportunity for one more chance.
Is this not what God has done for us?
This phrase originated with the WWII patriotic song Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer, by Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh (1942). The song tells of a damaged warplane barely able to limp back to base.
Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual leadership, but our approach to leadership cannot succeed by barely limping along.
Our leadership is about the hope Christ provided at the cross. We have prepared ourselves through trust and obedience to a gracious God who provided a plan to save us from sin.
When we understand our leadership is focused on this kind of hope, we are not leading by a wing and a prayer. We are leading by faith!
Our attitude and approach to leadership influences the type of work we accomplish.
Charles Schwab once said, “I have yet to find a man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”
If leadership is dictatorial, negative, and critical there are consistent challenges to reaching goals.
Our leadership excels with a spirit of positive approval and affirmation. The world has plenty of critics. It seems natural to offer criticism, even when praise is necessary.
God intended the church to be a refuge. If we want success in our leadership, the thought here is worth considering.
Fear is common. The apostles demonstrated fear. The parents of a blind man were afraid. Paul addressed fear when writing Timothy.
How do we overcome fear?
A few suggestions:
Know God. He gives us a spirit of love and power and discipline.
Believe in Jesus. If He endured for us, we can overcome for Him.
Study the book. The more we know of God’s word, the greater our confidence in fearful situations.
Fight the good fight. Paul knew the challenges of the work. He also knew he had to fight.
Let us commit ourselves to overcome and lead with passion.
What does it take to get our attention and move us into action for the Lord?
Will eight billion plus people in the world, the majority of which are lost?
Perhaps it is the decline in morality that surrounds us.
Maybe the spread of error on unknowing hearts.
Could it be the grace of God given in the Savior who came to die for all?
Whatever it is, our attention is needed and we must move into action to lead others to the only hope given to the human race.
Businesses offer a rain check for out-of-stock merchandise. The benefit helps build loyalty between the customer and business.
Loyalty is one of the most vital characteristics of leadership. How do we build the kind of loyalty needed in leadership?
Demonstrate trust: We must trust in God and also learn to trust in others.
Develop consistency and integrity: Without these, loyalty will be impossible.
Dedication: We must be dedicated to God, others, and reaching the goal.
These are only a few steps, but if we take them we can build a solid foundation for loyalty.
As I get older, I see how easy it is to be disconnected, even reclusive from the world, world events, and activities, especially what a younger generation faces every day. It may be in the home, at school, on the job, or in the community.
Shepherds, who tend to be older (by God’s design), can easily become isolated from the world. When this happens, they are challenged to help provide solid biblical answers for these challenges when they are asked.
Take time with the sheep to learn about the battles they fight and focus on how to provide biblical answers to help them fight the good fight of faith.
We need good shepherds.
Shepherding begins at the feet of the great Shepherd, Jesus.
Prayer cannot be overstated. James writes about the power of a prayer fervently rendered to our God. In the context, he specifically identifies elders as those who are to be called when anyone is sick.
Much debate has taken place related to the physical versus spiritual sickness discussed. Regardless of how you defend your thoughts on the matter, the main thrust of this text is about prayer and the power of faith that can impact one who is suffering.
James concludes by saying, “The fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:16).
We need good shepherds.
The world thinks of leadership as forcing others to do what leaders say. However, Marian Anderson said, “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.”
Spiritual leaders must consider others. When leading someone to Christ, our efforts will never be successful if we attempt to force God’s word upon them.
We must also guard attempts to create undue guilt.
We must understand others and lead in ways that create an awareness of the need, teach how and why, and allow God’s word to work to bring Biblical change.
Moses was noted for his faith in seeing Him who is unseen. Spiritual leaders are people of faith, primarily faith in God.
However, faith involves additional factors key to successful leadership.
Leaders must have faith in people. Even with our flaws, God entrusted His work to people.
Leaders must have faith in the purpose. God has provided us with the greatest purpose.
Leaders must have faith in the plan. We need to believe these plans will accomplish God’s purpose.
Leaders must be people who see Him who is unseen. This is leadership insight that leads to success.