Tag: SIBI

Leading as a Friend…

Friendship is a relationship of mutual trust and support. We have all witnessed the powerful effects of true friendship. 

Leadership is not always seen this way. Leadership is often seen as a lonely position. We hear the idea expressed, “It’s lonely at the top.”

However, if we are going to fulfill the responsibility of spiritual leadership we must be involved in the lives of others, developing friendships.

Jesus was called “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Mt. 11:19). When leaders develop relationships of mutual trust and support, friendships blossom that provide a source of strength and encouragement for life’s challenges.

Most importantly, we help others get to heaven.

A Grain of Salt…

I recently received another lesson about salt from my friend, Wayne Roberts, and I thought I would share it. 

“To take something with a grain of salt” refers to an Ancient Roman recipe for an antidote that protects against all kinds of poisons. The recipe was to take two dried walnuts, two figs, and twenty leaves of rue; pound them all together, with the addition of a grain of salt. It was believed that if a person took this mixture fasting, he will be protected against all poisons for that day.”

Leadership training is a valuable resource for protecting the church from possible “poison.”

Thank you, Wayne.

Emotional Leadership…

Dealing with the stages of grief is both interesting and challenging.

One minute we feel perfectly fine. Then, almost without warning, something happens and emotions are out of control.

A number of leadership insights are learned through this experience. 

1) Considering the emotional roller coaster one faces, leadership is often a “one minute at a time” basis. Changes occur quickly and leaders must be prepared to lead even when emotions run high.

2) Stability results when leaders give themselves to resolve issues whenever they occur. Leaders must strive to achieve greater personal stability in order to provide stability for others.

A Model of Leadership…

A model provides an example to follow or emulate. Spiritual leaders must model several areas for others.

Model a Christian life. We are not perfect, but we can portray an example of those who work with our imperfections and improve how we approach life.

Model leadership. Not only should we love to lead, but we should live for it. We need to dig deeper and speak often about helping others learn to lead.

Model grace. The one word others need to hear from us is grace. We must believe in, live by, and trust completely in God’s grace. Hold on to God’s promise. 

May we always live the model of Christ before others.

Believing in Others…

Everyone needs someone to believe in them, especially a father. Jim Valvano once said, “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”

I am thankful my father believed in me and my ability to do ministry. In some ways, he spent his life preparing me for this work.

While I am thankful for the foundation he laid, knowing he had confidence in me to accomplish the work was encouraging. 

No one achieves anything of value alone. We need others to believe in us and express confidence in our abilities. 

Great leaders see it and know how to build that confidence in others.

Faith and Leadership…

Great faith is always amazing. Leaders need great faith. They need faith that is so big the only answer is God.

I’ve met a few leaders like this over the years. Recently, I was blessed to meet an elder that shared a moving story about how God showed up in incredible ways to provide a Christian Camp. 

The most impressive aspect of his character was his humility. While others expressed thanks for his role, he never accepted it. He knew only God made it happen. Over and over he said, “It was God’s dream. It was God’s work.” 

When leaders possess the kind of humility to acknowledge the power of God at work in this way, we are privileged to see great faith in action.

What if…

In a recent interview with Brandon Edwards, we discussed concepts about vision. 

Brandon shared a powerful thought about how to dream. Often times, people hear a big idea and tend to say, “Yes, but…” What follows is usually a reason why it cannot be done.

However, imagine what happens when we have an opportunity to dream and begin with, “What if…”

“What if” implies something big. When we think of a future so big that it can only be accomplished with God’s help, we are laying the foundation for the right kind of vision.

We need leaders who know how to say, “What if…”

A Legacy to Remember…

My father’s legacy consisted of the following.

For 30+ years he read the New Testament every month and the Old Testament twice each year.

He preached the gospel for over 50 years.

He was married to the same wonderful woman for 60 years, father to 4 children, grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He developed a series of lessons to share the gospel in a simplistic way with others.

He lived in and by God’s Word. He knew THE book!

He died with his Bible opened to the passage he was studying for his next sermon. Take a moment to read Philippians 2:16. 

He led untold numbers of people to know Jesus.

These are a few ways his legacy leaves an incredible example to follow.

A Tribute to a Great Leader…

Tributes to great leaders are numerous. From those who are famous to those who are personal, great leaders exist everywhere. 

My father demonstrated great leadership by the kind of friendship he demonstrated. All his friendships involved pointing people to heaven.

Nothing was more important to him. He was one of the best personal workers I have ever known. His approach and style to studying the gospel with others was one of kindness. He was gentle and patient, and his ability to lead others to an understanding of God’s word was unmatched.

May we all learn from his leadership and point others to heaven.

Measuring our Leadership…

One thing about leadership, everyone is watching. Children, spouses, coworkers, neighbors, friends, and the world. They are all watching. 

Andrew Carnegie once said, “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”

People listen to what we say, but they watch what we do and measure. How does our leadership measure up? 

God measured the leaders of His people to show them how they did not measure up to the standard He had given them. 

If God were measuring our leadership, how would we measure up?

While others are watching, God also watches. Will we measure up?