Tag: SIBI

A Grateful Leader…

Families and friends will soon gather to enjoy Thanksgiving.

We would all agree with the need to express our gratitude daily.

The God-given responsibility of leading can be a heavy burden, but the rewards are rich in eternal blessings.

A few are listed below.

An incredible God who created us, loved us, and was willing to die for us.
wonderful opportunity to work with the greatest people on earth.
The generosity of trust from faithful brethren who make our work possible.
Abundant physical and spiritual blessings.
A perfect Word that provides direction, strength, hope, and promise.

May leaders always express gratitude.

Leading In Less Than One Second…

Jules Verne wrote Around The World In 80 Days. Traveling around the world in a hot air balloon was exciting and the adventure thrilling.

The 21st century has ushered in a few changes. The adventure no longer takes 80 days, or 80 minutes, or even 80 seconds.  In less than one second, with the touch of a button, this can all be experienced through the internet. Technology has changed everything.

Leading in such a time moves us to rethink our approach to every relationship.

For leaders, this is an opportunity to expedite the gospel to the world. How are we using these God-given tools to communicate the hope of Christianity?

Decisive Leaders…

Life is filled with making decisions. The multiplicity of options makes the process challenging.

Leaders know that decisions change the course of their own lives, but also the lives of those who follow.

Here are a few ideas to help.

Pray for help, strength, and guidance in this decision.
Remember, indecision is a decision.
Investigate all possible consequences to the decision.
Do not always take the “easiest” course of action.
Give complete dedication to the decision.
Always think about the motive behind the decision.

A few steps can provide greater confidence in our decisions.

Deep Cleaning…

After years of accumulating stuff, there is often a need for deep cleaning. A few trips to a dumpster, a bottle of cleaner, and a few hours of time creates a healthier environment. 

Lessons related to leadership underlie this need.

1) Perception is reality. Consider the perception others have about who we are by the way our home and work area looks. Is it sloppy or neat? Lazy or diligent? Indifferent or serious?

2) Appearance communicates volumes. As difficult as it is to consider, the appearance of our home and work environment communicates priorities, time management, and professionalism.

3) Organization increases morale. Knowing our home and work space is cleaner and organized makes it more exciting to be there. Productivity and influence rise.

With a little deep cleaning, we might find a healthier leadership.

Producing Leaders…

A simple observation indicates that the church is reaping the consequences of little planning over the past 40-50 years for future leaders.

Ralph Nader said, “I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” And John Maxwell said, “If you want to grow, lead followers. If you want to multiply, lead leaders.”

We need to… 

Encourage the young and old to prepare themselves for leadership.

Provide opportunities to learn how to lead.

Mentor leadership within the family and church.

Meeting tomorrow’s needs begins with preparing leaders today.

Disturbing Leadership…

Numerous leadership resources abound in quotes screaming to be heard. One such quote is from Catherine Booth, who said, “There is no changing the future without disturbing the present.”

Think about this thought for a moment. 

The opposite involves maintaining the status quo. Such practices are a death sentence to the development of God’s people.

Too many congregations hold onto methodologies, which were good and helpful in previous generations, but are ineffective in our world today.

Leaders who know how to disturb the present are needed to implement strategies that will change the direction of the church to ensure a solid future for God’s kingdom.

A Balanced Leader…

We live in a world of extremes, either left or right, liberal or conservative, etc.

The result has created division, especially on the spiritual front.

In the midst, we find those who assume the role of the religious elite seeking to point out the error of others and destroy them.

Sadly, social media provides a platform where many carry out their vile and vicious attacks without ever following the biblical approach. 

Worse still, these individuals operate under their “stand for the truth” and never realize how destructive their actions are to the image of Christ in our world. 

We need leaders who understand balance and lead God’s people away from the polarity of a world that does not understand Jesus.

Planning…

The holidays will soon be upon us.

Most men do not connect to the planning that goes into the activities of the day. However, most women know it is all about the planning.

The menu must be just right (although it is generally the same each year), the perfect ingredients purchased, and the timing involved in the cooking process.

Imagine what would happen if we gave the same attention to planning who we are as a leader, the goals we pursue, and preparing others to reach their potential.

Spiritual leadership must be all about the planning.

Lifelong Development…

Southwest Airlines offers a program called “Rapid Rewards.” The incentive is to fly Southwest Airlines and accumulate points that convert into rewards, i.e. free flights or merchandise.

The marketing terminology appeals to the desire and drive of our culture for the immediate. 

With the use of microwaves, computers, cell phones, and high speed internet, we expect everything in an instant.

Often times, leaders want to take a class, read a book, or search the internet to find everything about leadership. Lifelong development does not appeal.

While immediacy may bring benefits or consequences, we are better served to learn that God shapes us over a lifetime.

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.