Tag: SALT

Character of a Gentleman…

As spiritual leaders, remember a true gentleman demonstrates great character. General Robert E. Lee said it best.

“The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone; but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman. The power which the strong have over the weak, the magistrate over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly; the forbearing and inoffensive use of all this power and authority, or the total abstinence from it, when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light. The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He can only forgive; he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be put the past.”

Trusting Leadership…

You may or may not remember the television show To Tell The Truth. Two of the three participants involved would lie about events and people in their lives in an effort to fool a panel of people questioning them.

Leadership must be different.

People only follow leaders they trust. As leaders, our character should stand on its own. We should always be a people of our word and of the Word. Jesus said, “Let your yes be yes, and your no, no.” 

There should never be a question as to our identity, and our character must exemplify the Christlike leadership we read about in the Bible.

The Greatest Choice…

Most choices in life have little or no affect on others, but a few choices consequentially do. Where we live, who we marry, children, and raising children are a few examples.

The greatest choice, however, is connected to our relationship with God. In order to take a step in the right direction as leaders, we need to make choices that will help others find the path to eternal life. 

We share good news for overcoming the past. We give confidence for today. We provide hope for a better tomorrow. 

People seek someone to lead them in the right direction. Let us step up to the challenge and lead for the cause of our Lord.

Leadership Advocacy…

Everyone needs an advocate, a champion, upholder, backer, supporter. The idea involves someone who comes alongside and stands in the place of someone else. Biblically, Jesus is our Advocate.

Consider our position as leaders.

When people struggle with their faith, when people deal with the challenges of life, when others step out to accept responsibility, will we be an advocate for them?

During a time of temptation, personal trial, or spiritual growth, leaders must be an advocate.

The necessity is vital to the development of the Lord’s church. Christians need to know the Advocate they have in Jesus, and they need to know the advocate they have in leadership.

Cost of Leadership…

What does it cost to get an education? What does it cost to raise a family? What does it cost to enjoy freedom? 

What does it cost to be a leader? The answer will vary depending on the individual and type of leadership required. 

Consider the cost of spiritual leadership.

Regarding Jesus, it involved His life. We can safely say the same will be required of us. Although it may not involve a physical death, we should be ready and willing if it did.

Perhaps the most significant cost is that of being a servant. The cost involves putting others above ourselves. For that we must die to self.

Ulterior Motives…

The motive behind our words and actions is always critical to the success of leadership.

The idea of an ulterior motive indicates a hidden agenda that goes beyond the obvious or stated. The difficulty that often accompanies an ulterior motive is being able to prove the motive. We tend to make accusations about the motives of others because we assume, based on words and actions, the individual has a hidden agenda.

This may or may not be true. We cannot always know the motive of others, but we do know our own. 

True spiritual leadership will demonstrate a transparency supported by the word of God. Therefore, we should lead others openly, promoting a pure and sincere motive.

Privileged Leadership…

We are all aware of the challenges of racism and the problems resulting from such. Apart from the fact it is Biblically wrong and sinful, there are a number of elements that make it socially wrong also. 

However, true privilege today is spiritually twofold. 

The first is the privilege God has given us to be His children, regardless of race.

Second, we find privilege in the opportunity given to lead, again, regardless of race.

While many think there is privilege related to the color of one’s skin, let us focus on the responsibility we have because of the true spiritual privilege given each of us.

Crossroads of Leadership…

Crossroads is a classic written by Robert Johnson and performed by numerous artists.

Several have tried to explain the meaning of this song. The most revealing involves Johnson’s struggle with loneliness, especially connected to the desperation of finding his way home from an unfamiliar place.

Leadership can certainly be a lonely place and it can also take us into unfamiliar places where we desperately seek our way home.

The result brings us to a crossroads, where we question our leadership. We face challenging decisions.

Spiritually, we constantly face crossroads. The decisions we make in those moments determine salvation or condemnation. Our leadership must serve to help others at the crossroads make the right decisions and find their way home.

Life Worth Leading…

“No one ever finds life worth living—he has to make it worth living.” Unknown

Value in life is really based on what we consider valuable. Leaders cannot make life worth living for themselves or others unless they know what is valuable.

If we place value on what we achieve or obtain in this life, then chances are we will not look back on a life worth living.

However, if we place value on helping make life better for others, seeking the eternal reward of others––starting with our families––then life will be a journey well lived.

Here is where true leadership is found.

Leadership of Children…

Observing children raises an interesting question: “Who really leads who?”

While we might like to think  parents have a powerful influence in the development of these little lives as they grow. However, it is interesting how children lead in their own right.

They know how to get everyone’s attention, and quickly.
They know how to follow.
They know they must learn how to work together with others.
They know the value of love and giving it unconditionally.
They know that unsolicited hugs and good manners usually get them what they want.

Think about leadership. Perhaps observing children can help us all improve in our ability to lead.