Tag: Leadership

Paul…Part 2

Paul presents many qualities of leadership, some we looked at previously.

Consider a few additional qualities:

Humble: He considered himself the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, and he was the chief of sinners. He certainly understood and exemplified humility.

Dedicated: Paul was determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Co. 2:2-5). He was dedicated to do whatever necessary to preach this message.

Compassionate:
His love for all who were lost and his intense concern over the church is an example of true leadership. He wanted nothing more than for people to be saved.

Accountable

Leaders are accountable, but what exactly does this word involve for spiritual leadership?

There is the implication of what is required. As spiritual leaders, we are required to be trustworthy, faithful, examples, and people of integrity.

There are certain expectations. People tend to meet whatever is expected of them. When leaders make decisions, there is an expectation they will be held accountable.

There is an understanding of responsibility. There is a level of responsibility connected to the decisions and actions taken by leadership.

Leaders will answer to God for the direction of their leadership of God’s people.

Evaluation…

Spiritually, if we do not continually return to the blueprint of God’s word to ensure we are following the plans…well, the result is what we have witnessed in our world today.

The problem can be summed up in the lack of leadership returning to the blueprint to evaluate the plan given by God.

Only when we return to evaluating the plan and implementing the mission of God, will we be able to resolve the issues of division and renew our efforts of outreach.

The task falls to us as leaders to learn the value of evaluation.

How Will You Be Remembered?

A new year has begun. How will 2022 be remembered for you?

There are times leaders are asked to leave, and times when they choose to leave. How a leader walks away determines the nature of how they will be remembered.

Shattered farewells leave everyone hurting.

Divisive farewells leave followers turned against one another.

Venomous farewells leave a feeling of animosity, anger, distrust, and a lack of direction.

Gracious farewells leave followers united with a greater dedication to achieve the established vision, goals, and will of God, strengthening the overall good of everyone.

We are leaders and how we lead when we leave makes a difference.

Vision

In the construction industry, leaders examine blueprints and demonstrate the ability to see the finished product in their mind. Only when they see it in their mind can they follow the blueprint accurately.

Spiritual leaders must demonstrate the same ability. To help Christians reach the goals set before them, leaders must see what it looks like in their mind.

Casting this kind of vision before others will help them stay focused and energized for the journey.

Mistakes are easily made in the construction phases when there is no vision. The same is true for both the construction of buildings and the future of the church.

Paul

I love Paul’s leadership, and here is why. He was…

Passionate: As a persecutor of the church, he pursued it with passion. He even raised his level of passion when he became a defender of the faith.

Bold: Paul asked the church to pray for his boldness and it was demonstrated throughout every step of his ministry.

Selfless: Paul became all things to all men so that he might save some. He endured great hardship for others to learn about Jesus.

If we could approach our leadership with the passion, boldness, and selflessness of Paul, we could change the world.

Why?

Of all the questions one could ask, this three lettered word makes a complete question by itself.

This question is also prevalent when thinking about our leadership.

Why are leaders needed?
Why do we need to make this decision?
Why now?
Why should we lead?
We could resolve many issues by answering the question…why?

Look through the gospel accounts and consider the questions asked by Jesus that begin with why.

Why are you worried?
Why are you afraid?
Why are you testing Me?
Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?

Think about it!

True Success

Hearing about those who attempt to lead without growing themselves is fairly common. Hearing about those who attempt to lead without growing others is also common, and sad.

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

When spiritual leaders do not grow first and then grow others, everything and everyone suffers.

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

Be a student of leadership and lead others to be the same.

Creativity…

I love watching the imagination of children this time of year. From marrying Prince Charming to Belle dancing with the Beast to shooting a web like Spider Man, their imagination is refreshing.

Leaders need creative power to lead others, to provide a better focus on the future and what can happen when we believe. When leaders create a vision for what can be and how to make it happen, people will follow.

Observe the world built by a child’s own creative power: their ability to see what is unseen, believe the impossible, act it out in their minds, and speak with incredible creativity.

Try it and see how it works for your leadership.

Merry Christmas

A Teaching Leader

Leadership thoughts are found everywhere. I appreciate friends who are constantly looking for and sharing these thoughts with me.

A few years ago, a good friend sat down to have some tea before going to bed and on the tea bag he read, “To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach.” Unknown

The thought is powerful and has great application to our leadership.

The last part of the thought encompasses the whole of it. Most of us have heard, known, or experienced how the greatest amount of learning takes place when we teach. Teaching the material helps us master it.