Tag: Guidance

Godly Counsel

Proverbs 27:9 says, “A man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

Leadership should always provide a source of counsel that is based on God’s word, designed to provide guidance to spiritual success and an eternal reward.

When leaders provide godly counsel, several beautiful things occur: 1) Above all, God is glorified; 2) His people are built up in faith; 3) leadership is strengthened in righteousness; and 4) the future is secured.

The consequences of not seeking wise counsel can be seen in the life of Joshua (Jos. 9). Let leaders learn from his example, then pursue and provide godly counsel.

Dependence

Spiritual leaders are dependent upon God’s guidance, direction, strength, and provisions. Spiritual leaders are also aware that followers are dependent upon them for the same.

Guidance involves advice and instruction for the conduct and behavior of life.

Direction shows the way, primarily the way to the final destination.

Strength is needed to get up and keep moving toward the goal.

Provisions are given to continue the journey, even when all else seems to fail.

The role is never taken lightly. It is critical to building a solid foundation that supplies the basic components for growth in relationship with God.

Finding Answers

When I observe my children and grandchildren, I understand the idea of looking for and awaiting answers related to trials experienced in life.

Fear, anxiety, and frustration can take control quickly. How can we eliminate these concerns and find the needed answers during such times?

Where do leaders go to find answers when adversity occurs, questions arise?

Leadership involves providing guidance, direction, encouragement, support, and knowing how to give answers to help others overcome their fears, anxiety and frustration. Where can a leader go to find the answers?

Pray.
Listen to God’s word.
Seek counsel.
Learn the value of trust.
Admit mistakes.
Never miss the opportunity to grow.

Guidance

Guidance involves advice, counsel, direction, instruction, suggestions, and leadership.

Before guiding, consider the following.

1) Pray. Sounds easy enough, right? How many times do we stop and pray before we think through, type out, or talk about something?

2) Check the motive. Why do we want to advise someone? If the motive is not out of love and a desire to improve the other person, rethink.

3) Timing is everything. Do we understand the events that surround another person’s actions? Timing makes a difference in how we are received.

4) Encourage by affirmation. Critiquing someone’s decisions is received far better when we begin by affirming previous actions.

Leading Technology

Be familiar with newer and emerging technologies.

Leadership (being a great leader) is not contingent on using or keeping up with emerging technology. Many leaders from the past and many in the future may never use technology.

However, we cannot deny the incredible opportunities that technology presents in the development of our leadership.

Tools for training, mentoring, guidance, and encouragement are available to everyone.

If we have the opportunity to utilize the tools of technology to grow in our leadership and influence thousands, if not millions more, will God not hold us accountable for such?

Reliance…

Spiritual leaders understand the need to rely upon God. They are reliant upon His guidance, direction, strength, and provisions.

Spiritual leaders are also aware of the fact that followers are also reliant upon them for the same.

Guidance provides advice and instruction in how to live.
Direction shows the way, primarily the way to heaven.
Strength is needed to keep moving toward the right goal.
Provisions are given to continue, even when all else fails.

These four areas are all directly related to our reliance upon God and leading His people. May our role never be taken lightly.

The Leadership Experience…

“Leaders aren’t built by just jumping in and figuring it out––they’re built through constant input and feedback from an experienced leader.” Mac Lake

When we understand that leaders make leaders, this thought makes perfect sense. However, for many, the approach to leadership is based on the SOS model, the idea that if you throw someone into the deep end of leadership, they either “sink or swim.” The other approach is the YO-YO model, “You are on your own.” 

Great leaders develop when they receive input, guidance, and feedback from experienced leaders. This mentoring gives future leaders opportunity to grow properly.

Protective Leadership…

Precautionary steps protect us from what can be harmful or even fatal.

Leadership provides a protection for the good of everyone. David understood this when he wrote Psalm 23.

Read through the lines of this Psalm and notice the protecting leadership of the Lord’s shepherding.

Leading indicates a shepherd’s care demonstrated in areas of safety.
Guidance in the context seems to indicate a spiritual direction.
Comfort is the result of the protective discipline needed.
Preparation completes the thought with victory over the challenges.

Leadership can provide precautions needed for the good of everyone.