Tag: Lead

Lead

An urgency and an imperative nature is ascribed to the word, lead. Consider the following thoughts.

1) Initiate motion: To lead requires beginning the process. Waiting on someone else to lead often results in nothing getting accomplished.

2) Organize and direct: If there is a priority that exists in the realm of leading, it is the need to organize and direct.

3) Take command: To lead is to take command, not an authoritative dictator style of leading, but assuming responsibility.

Without taking the lead, the unqualified, desperate, misguided, and agenda driven take the lead.

Each thought carries a pressing demand for spiritual leaders to lead.

Lead Like Jesus, Part 2

To lead like Jesus is to love God and others with all of our being. Jesus did not love God or others when it was convenient or suited His personal desires.

In modern terminology, Jesus was “all in.” Nothing stood between Him and serving His Father in ways that demonstrated loyalty and faithfulness.

Jesus was also completely focused on both the physical and spiritual needs of others.

We can learn much in striving to fulfill this one thought, “If you want to lead, lead like Jesus.”

If we truly desire to lead, we need to give more thought to how we lead.

Lead Like Jesus

Peter clearly points out that Jesus suffered, leaving an example to follow in His steps.

Peter’s first letter is one that acknowledges the need for Christians to prepare for suffering, not to be surprised when suffering occurs, and to know that when they suffer as Christians they are blessed.

Would we think differently about the words of the song, “Oh To Be Like Thee,” if we knew that we were asking to suffer as Jesus suffered?

We often hear, “Lead like Jesus.” Will our leadership involve suffering for the cause of the Lord? Are we willing to lead like Him?

Practical Leadership…

When something is practical, action is required. If something is practical, it is suitable for a particular purpose. Practice, which comes from practical, indicates a discipline to improve the quality of the activity.

Application within leadership is an area that deserves attention.

Consider how leadership changes the involvement of those who follow when there is a practical approach to programs.

Leaders are needed who think, act, and lead practically.

Followers are needed who know how to make practical application.

Several spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.) point to the character of leadership and promote a practical approach for developing others to leader.

Destructive Nature of Procrastination…

Perhaps you’ve heard the statement, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” A dear friend, Paul Myers, shared this thought with me about 10 years ago.

Procrastination can be destructive to leadership. Why?

Because there is no better time than now when it comes to…

Leading others to Christ.
Telling someone you love them.
Helping someone mature spiritually.
Strengthening the weak.
Improving ourselves as leaders.

We must fight the desire to procrastinate and use the present to achieve greatness.

Emotional Leadership…

Dealing with the stages of grief is both interesting and challenging.

One minute we feel perfectly fine. Then, almost without warning, something happens and emotions are out of control.

A number of leadership insights are learned through this experience. 

1) Considering the emotional roller coaster one faces, leadership is often a “one minute at a time” basis. Changes occur quickly and leaders must be prepared to lead even when emotions run high.

2) Stability results when leaders give themselves to resolve issues whenever they occur. Leaders must strive to achieve greater personal stability in order to provide stability for others.

Positional Leadership…

One of the great myths of leadership is the positional myth, i.e. “I cannot lead unless I have a position, or once I have a position then I will be able to lead.”

While we do not have to have a position to lead, this position comes with a responsibility. Spiritual leaders are positioned with a responsibility, a responsibility to help others…

…understand there is hope for the future.
…reach their full potential in spiritual maturity.
…obtain their eternal inheritance.

Several years ago, I heard this equation: ability + opportunity = responsibility. After some thought, doesn’t it sound like a good position?