Tag: Growth

Following the Right Leader…

When we question our leadership, consideration should be given to the followers. Have we really considered where others end up when they follow our leadership?

The choices are limited.

1) Closer to or further away from God…
2) More spiritually or more worldly focused…
3) Stronger or weaker in faith…
4) Growing or declining in knowledge of God’s word…

There may be more possibilities, but the point is the same. Our leadership should be important enough to consider the destination reached by following our leadership.

Blaze a trail that when others follow they end up following the right leader.

Engaged Leaders…

Three words describe the concept of an engaged leader: occupy, attract, involve. These words may have reference to someone’s interest or attention, but all three are key to understanding the need for leaders to engage others.

Occupying the attention of others indicates we keep them focused and connected.

Attracting others demonstrates we bring them to a place where they can participate. 

Involving others means we include them in the experience.

If we are not doing this, then we have to wonder if we are really engaged leaders.

To necessitate spiritual growth, leaders must be engaged.

A Leadership Challenge…

Challenges are defined as tasks or situations that test someone’s abilities.

There are two primary thoughts for leaders.

1) Leaders must challenge themselves to find ways that test their abilities and strengthen their character.

2) Leaders must challenge others by presenting tasks or situations that produce growth in the abilities of followers. 

People arise to what is expected of them. Experience has proven that when leaders provide encouragement and a level of expectation, followers come through. 

We must learn how to develop the discipline to strengthen our own leadership and that of followers to achieve growth in the church.

The Path of Growth…

People who attempt to lead without first growing themselves is common. Leaders who attempt to lead without growing others is also common and sad.

Jack Welch is noted for saying, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

Spiritual leadership is essential when considering the current situation of the church and world.

However, when we do not first grow ourselves to be a leader and then grow others as a leader, everything and everyone suffers.

The true legacy of a spiritual leader is based on growing into a leader and growing others to be leaders.

Assessing Our Leadership…

Leadership development must have a means by which we measure or determine specified growth or advancement.

But how can we assess our leadership accurately?

First, consider the activity of followers. If there is no activity, we are not growing. Growth is measured by application.

Second, examine feedback responses. Positive and negative feedback have a powerful place when assessing growth and development.

Third, find a mentor. We cannot overstate the value of a mentor who will examine our leadership and provide feedback to grow.

While there are many other suggestions, leadership development is critical to the growth and advancement of any work.

Source of Leadership…

Think about the value of a source.

Finding a source for pure water can mean life to a community. Acquiring a source for financial stability secures the future.

We would also agree that a source for salvation changes the eternal destiny of the world. 

Thankfully, God has provided a plan through which Jesus became the source of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him.

As leaders, are we a source through which people obtain God’s grace?

Are we a source for others to grow spiritually?

Let us pray that more see the need to stand in the fight against the spiritual forces of darkness and be a source of light.