Tag: SIBI

Shepherds

I’ve heard the term “elder” used for men appointed to oversee, manage, or pastor the church. The use of this term is biblical, as well as the various terms associated with it.

In recent years, the term shepherd has been used more frequently. Why this change? Does the use of one over the other help us understand more clearly the role needed today?

The idea of shepherding often brings Psalm 23 to mind where David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

While it is difficult for most of us to understand the literal work of shepherding sheep, the Bible reveals ideas that can help us think more about shepherds.

Hope

Charisma is not the quality of self-centered leadership. Consider how much of our conversations focus on us, what we do, our family, our interests, etc.?

When leaders have charisma they add value to the lives of others. They give others hope.

While we need to know what the Bible says about sin, we need to remember the Bible is a book about hope. Jesus is our hope.

Inspiring devotion in others is built on the ability of leaders to provide hope.

The charisma of spiritual leaders is directly related to this ability. Pride, insecurity, and cynicism destroy the ability to lead others to this hope.

Measuring Up

Who determines the scale between 1 and 10? Does it differ from one person to another? Is there a consistent standard allowing for accurate evaluation?

How would we rate on a scale of 1 to 10?

Consistency is a needed virtue. Therefore, consider a couple of factors:

1) People rate our leadership (like it or not).
2) The rating is determined by ability, decisions, relationships, and success.
3) We will give an account for our leadership.
4) The standard is God’s word.

A change in our rating is up to us. Again we ask, “How does our leadership measure up?”

Live, Love, Laugh

There is an expression I’ve seen in several homes, “Live well, love much, and laugh often.”

Live well – How well are we living? Are we simply living for the moment or living with eternity in view?

Love much – Leadership will only succeed when those we are leading know we love them. Seeking their highest good will be seen in our words and actions.

Laugh often – It is easy to get wrapped up in the struggles of life and forget the importance of laughter. We need to find joy throughout life.

When these expressions find root in our existence, we will see a difference.

Live well, love much, laugh often!

Doing It Right

Most of us have heard, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”

As leaders, the task set before us is worth doing, and it is worth doing right.

From the book of Exodus, it is fascinating how many times the phrase “as the Lord commanded” is used. God wanted Moses and the children of Israel to understand the importance of doing what He had commanded.

The opportunity to benefit in His grace…

The privilege of worshiping our God…

The joy of sharing the gospel…

All of these, and so much more, make up the core of our leadership. Let’s do it right!

Leaders in the Home

A friend of mine once said, “How a man treats his wife says much about how he views God.”

What a powerful thought to consider regarding the leadership so desperately needed within the home.

As husbands, we need to think about it more seriously. As the leader in our home, we have a responsibility to fulfill the God-given role of leading.

My friend is right. How we treat the wife God has given, speaks to the way we view God.

How are we leading in our home?

Future Leaders

The future of leadership hinges on several factors.

Learn from history. Spiritual leaders are students of God’s word and they apply it.

Be students of the present. We need to observe and learn from current leaders and followers.

Desire to serve others. Leadership must be more concerned with serving than being served.

Glorify God. Leadership should be motivated and driven with this purpose.

Develop a plan. Developing a plan is vital for the right direction. These steps provide a foundation.

We do not know the future, but a few steps will help secure the future of spiritual leaders.

Patient

Does it surprise anyone when we pray for patience and then experience challenges? The problem is we want patience, but we want it now and without trials! Hmmm!

Too often, we expect growth and maturity to occur as though we were ordering a meal at a drive-thru window. We place our order on one side and expect to have it waiting for us when we reach the other. No patience required, right?

Church growth requires leaders to be patient. Being patient is a powerful lesson for all spiritual leaders.

In time, the demonstration of such patience and gentle guidance will yield fruit to the glory of our God.

Wrong to Assume

How many times do we expect others to know what is on our mind?

Somehow, we assume others naturally know what we are thinking, as if they are a mind reader.

Leaders can make this mistake if not careful.

Keep in mind, others do not know what we are thinking unless we tell them.

If we want a response, then tell them so.

Disappointment can be avoided if we adequately communicate the vision in our minds.

People follow leaders who know and keep the direction before them.

Playing the mind reading game does not work well. Communicate the direction and others will follow.

Stand, Speak, Sit Down

Wisdom says, “Stand up to be seen. Speak up to be heard. Sit down to be appreciated.”

The application reaches into many areas, but it certainly has relevance for leaders.

Leaders should be accessible and approachable. Questions need to be answered, visions plotted, and plans developed.

Leaders must be clear. Leaders need to be decisive, but they must also be clear and precise.

Leaders also need to know their limitations. They must know the balance and limits of their time and talent.

Followers value leaders who are visible, understood, and work within the boundaries of their ability.