When leadership demonstrates generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, you must consider the nature of your generosity.
Intention: What is the motive behind your gift?
Object: What is the object of your generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?
Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?
Action: Are you ready to start giving?
Self-examination: What are you losing by holding on to the gift?
These questions help us determine the nature of and need behind our gift.
What legacy do you want to leave? Have you given thought to your legacy?
From a spiritual perspective, when you and I depart this physical world we should leave others in a position to do great things for the Lord without us. This is the heart of true legacy.
Choose who you want to carry on your legacy.
Pass on what you want carried on.
Don’t forget to model your legacy.
Leadership is not about the here and now, but the hereafter. If you build your leadership around this idea, the legacy you leave will have lasting rewards.
Are we consumed with work because we find value in the job, or are we passionate because of the difference it makes in the lives of others?
Our value comes from God. We are created in His image and covered by the blood of His Son.
Value based in work becomes an insatiable task.
Spiritually, if we are passionate about leading others to a greater relationship with God, the perspective changes.
When we have an intense desire and enthusiasm for the work of the Lord, there is a sense of love and joy in fulfilling the true purpose of life.
Spiritual leadership is worth being passionate about and loving.
We have various ways to remind us of events we don’t want to miss, from sticky notes to Google calendar.
Spiritually, there are events we should not miss.
Where does our gathering with Christians rank in our priorities?
Where does time in prayer and study rank?
Where do family devotionals fit?
These events are matters of choice, and we either make them a priority or not.
There is an event scheduled we will all attend, a Lord appointed a day.
We should make preparing for it a priority. As Christians, we should eagerly anticipate it. This is a day we do not want to miss!
The Bible is filled with many contrasts. Few seem as prevalent as the contrast between the wise and foolish.
Solomon said the wise quickly receive instruction.
Paul instructs us to act as wise men not as unwise.
Jesus indicated the wise to be those who hear His words and act upon them. The foolish hear His words and do not.
There should be much wisdom in spiritual leadership. Let us learn to receive good counsel.
Ultimately, our leadership is based on the direction we receive from the Lord. True wisdom listens to Him.
I’ve heard the term “elder” used for men appointed to oversee, manage, or pastor the church. The use of this term is biblical, as well as the various terms associated with it.
In recent years, the term shepherd has been used more frequently. Why this change? Does the use of one over the other help us understand more clearly the role needed today?
The idea of shepherding often brings Psalm 23 to mind where David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”
While it is difficult for most of us to understand the literal work of shepherding sheep, the Bible reveals ideas that can help us think more about shepherds.
Most of us have heard, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”
As leaders, the task set before us is worth doing, and it is worth doing right.
From the book of Exodus, it is fascinating how many times the phrase “as the Lord commanded” is used. God wanted Moses and the children of Israel to understand the importance of doing what He had commanded.
The opportunity to benefit in His grace…
The privilege of worshiping our God…
The joy of sharing the gospel…
All of these, and so much more, make up the core of our leadership. Let’s do it right!
Respect is often a two-way street, but the challenge involves earning respect.
A few simple ideas can help leaders approach this subject with greater success.
Be dedicated to the Lord: Focus on Christ and make the souls of others a priority.
Be consistent: Posner and Kouzes say, “The video needs to match the audio.”
Love people: A deeper understanding of love might help us understand why it covers a multitude of sins.
We could argue whether respect is earned or demanded. However, applying a few simple principles to our leadership will answer the questions.
Being a part of the team is special and powerful.
There are challenges, frustrations, thrills, high-fives, and throughout it all, a sense of accomplishment.
Teams are diligent in preparation, hungry to learn, and always focused on the priority.
Teams face the task of changing lives physically and spiritually.
Teams ask questions, discuss possibilities, work on solutions, and make decisions together.
One goal sets before them. One lifetime is given to accomplish the task.
Through it all, one opportunity has been provided to be a part of this team. The Lord knew the difference made by a team.
We know Jesus suffered while on earth: the persecution He endured, despising the shame, and the ultimate sacrifice at the cross.
John describes the glory of Jesus in the Revelation, and of all the terms that could have been used––sovereign Lord, Prince of peace, Mighty God, Creator, or Christ––John chose “Lamb.” Why use Lamb? Because He was the sacrifice made for the world. Suffering cannot be separated from the glory.
Paul reminds us that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us, but suffering comes first.