Tag: Responsibility

Responsible Leadership…

Leadership involves responsibility. The higher one goes in leadership, the greater the responsibility. Others have said, “The greater the responsibility, the fewer the rights.”

We live in a culture where taking responsibility is not always an acceptable practice. We also live in a culture where the common practice is one of blaming others.

The problem is not cultural. This practice has been around since the beginning with Adam and Eve. Leadership must seek responsibility and take responsibility for their actions.

When this kind of integrity exists, when leaders seek and take responsibility for their actions, their influence grows. The result? People will follow!

Earning Our Leadership…

“Earn your leadership every day.” Michael Jordan

While the list is not exhaustive, here are a few suggestions to earn our leadership.

1) Live life consistently.

2) Take responsibility for every word and action.

3) Lead in the fullness of core values.

4) Align goals with priorities.

5) Know what is worth dying for and live for it.

6) Help others reach their potential…always!

7) Be an active listener.

8) Show others life is more than just “being right.”

9) Demonstrate respect for yourself and others.

10) Understand the difference between image and reputation. 

These suggestions will help our leadership produce immeasurable benefits.

Responsible Leadership…

Ability + opportunity = responsibility

Everyone has ability. These abilities fall into categories of natural, acquired, and spiritual (God given). Not everyone has the same ability, thus the design of the church so it will function properly, as God designed it (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12).

Opportunities are circumstances presenting possibility. We must recognize the possibilities and look for the opportunities God provides.

Therefore, we are responsible to use our abilities, consider the possibilities, and seek the God given opportunities. 

Imagine what God could do through us in changing our community, or maybe the world, if we were to assume such responsibility.

Entrusting Leaders…

The Greek word translated “entrust” carries the idea of placing something into the hand of another.

Paul reminded Timothy of what had been entrusted to him and instructed him to place it into the hands of those who are faithful so that they, in turn, would teach others also.

When something is entrusted to us, we have a responsibility to care for, guard, protect, cherish, and faithfully use it.

Considering what has been placed into our hands as spiritual leaders, we carry this same responsibility.

One day we will give an account for the stewardship of what has been entrusted to us, including the souls we lead.

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?