Tag: SALT

Teach, Encourage, Admonish, Equip

Jesus taught, encouraged, admonished, and equipped twelve men to go and make disciples.

Think about how Jesus individualized each word.

Teach: People will only do what they are taught to do, and our teaching must include application. When provided, everyone learns how to fulfill the task.

Encourage:
Encouraging others motivates them to work harder than before. When criticism is tempered with encouragement, people change.

Admonish: Warning, advising, or even reprimanding others is needed to prevent harm. The attitude behind admonition determines the reception.

Equip: Providing tools to fulfill each task and responsibility are vital to the success of followers, especially as we prepare them to lead.

Suffering Leaders

Jesus suffered on numerous occasions at the hands of religious leaders who sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.

The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at their hands, even though they instigated the procedure.

Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross at the hands of Rome.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. To those who are saved, however, it is the power of God.

The higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make.

Preparation

The disciples constantly questioned Jesus about matters of the kingdom, especially a physical emphasis.

One example involved their concern over the destruction of the temple, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age.

While Jesus addressed their concerns with information related to the signs prior to this event, He took them further into the events surrounding the judgment day.

He wanted them to know that something greater than the destruction of the temple was coming and the reason for teaching this truth was to prepare them for that day.

Our leadership is the same. We are to prepare others for that day.

Compassionate Leaders

One of the qualities Jesus demonstrated, instrumental in drawing others to Him, was compassion.

Several times throughout the gospels, scripture points to the compassion of Jesus. He was compassionate to those in need both physically and spiritually.

His compassion, however, was more than a feeling of sympathy over their distress; it moved Him to act in ways that met the need.

Leaders who follow the example of Jesus realize the value of a compassionate approach. An awareness of someone’s needs is an important component, but compassionate leaders seek ways to get involved to help meet the need.

Step Into Greatness

Life is filled with events. These events can be good or bad. The perspective of one person toward an event may not be the same as another person facing a similar event. The difference is often affiliated with someone’s attitude and worldview.

Robert Tew said, “It doesn’t matter what happens to you. What matters is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to complain and shrink or are you going to step into your greatness?”

We need leaders who step into greatness motivating us to see beyond the present and consider the power of changing lives.

Prepare Future Leaders

Too many congregations struggle with poorly equipped and, at times, unqualified leaders, or no leadership at all. Most leaders have no idea who will fill this needed role in the days ahead.

Each congregation needs a plan for training, equipping, and developing leaders to prepare for the spiritual warfare facing the church.

God’s people need to recognize the challenges before us and the current leadership must rise up to prepare leaders for tomorrow.

We currently suffer the consequences of past generations that failed to plan. We need a vision related to who we can be as the Lord’s kingdom in the next generation. This will impact our children!

Sign of the Times

Are we able to see the signs of our times? Are we aware of the cultural changes developing almost by the minute?

The direction of our world is frightening and exciting at the same time. The opportunities have never been greater and the needs more pressing.

We must consider the need to move out of a dated methodology that may no longer be effective.

The message never changes, but our methods require attention. If the methods we use are outdated, effectiveness will be limited.

Can we see the signs of the times, or are we doing the same things in the same ways expecting different results? Give it thought.

A Godly Image

We live in a society that thrives on image. There is great concern for the appearance of things, how others see us.

Sadly, many people render service only to an earthly image. The concern is limited to doing the least possible rather than excelling beyond what is required.

The beauty of godly leaders is demonstrated when they constantly strive to please the Lord.

People always watch: our families, people at work and our neighborhood, as well as fellow Christians. They all watch.

When we consider our conduct before others, is it because we want to please those who are watching or is our motive to please God?

The Perfect Picture

Each day we are given an opportunity to live on the stage of life. Others witness every move and listen to every word. Images are embedded in their minds from what they see and hear.

As they recall days gone by, they remember these images and the impact left by them.

David Nicholls framed it like this: “I want to live life in such a way that if a photograph were taken at random, it would be a cool photograph.”

What would the photograph others take of us look like?

We may only have one moment for others to take that perfect picture that changes their lives forever.

Moment of Truth

The moment of truth is not measured by what a leader hopes, desires, or thinks might be needed.

The moment of truth is measured by what a leader does, the stand that is taken, and the demonstration of character when it is unpopular with the majority.

The time comes in every person’s life when they must decide how they will act or react to the environment or circumstances before them.

In that moment, the decision they make determines the effectiveness of each leader.

No pleasure, monetary prize, popularity, or status of prestige is worth compromising the truth and the principles of character that stand behind it.