Tag: SIBI

Respite

Few things are more important for life and leadership than respite, a time of rest. Consider…

Respite is not an extended vacation.
Although an extended vacation might be helpful and needed, the idea involves a shorter period to recoup.

Utilize the time to its fullest potential. The intent behind this suggestion means we need to remove or set aside obstacles that might distract our rest: cell-phone, laptop, television, etc.

Focus on a greater source of strength.
A moment in prayer to seek help from God to provide strength would be a powerful start.

Leaders rarely take time to focus on respite, but it will make a difference.

God’s Design for Leadership

God’s design involves the necessity of leadership in the home, church, and world. The foundation, however, that motivates us to establish leadership in each area narrows down to this one point: eternity matters.

Why would God’s design include the role of leadership within the home, church, and world? Because God knows eternity matters.

He understands the brevity of our life on this earth. He longs to share what He has prepared for us.

If we could wrap our minds around this great truth, eternity matters, our entire perspective just might change and the direction for every area of our life would become a bit more urgent.

Igniting Passion to Lead

People around the world follow someone. Generally, they follow the one that influences them most.

If we reject the responsibility to shine the light of Jesus, who will people follow?

It would seem that the only possibility is the ruler of this world, the one who leads them into darkness.

Are we ready to accept the consequences of such a decision?

Leadership is not an easy task. We are often left vulnerable when we open ourselves up in order to reach out to the world. However, the result of leading others to Christ ignites a passion that drives the future of our leadership, and that of others.

Pray and Prepare

How can we focus on leadership development?

First, we must pray. Recently, it was suggested that the church spend a Sunday evening in prayer for the leaders of our country. While this is needed, should we not be more concerned with praying about leaders for the church? What will become of the church if we have the leaders we want for our country, but have no leaders in the church?

Second, we must be diligent to prepare others to lead. Consider the fact that we diligently prepare, train, and educate leaders in the corporate setting. Somehow, we have not exercised the same diligence in the church, and we are experiencing the consequences.

Preparing More to Lead

The need for leadership continues to be urgent.

While we understand the primary role of elders to involve the work of a shepherd, we also find that part of this role points to the responsibility of maintaining purity in teaching.

However, the lack of leadership development in years past has created a vacuum where the majority of congregations do not have elders and congregations with elders have too few to deal with the challenges.

Most locations recognize the problem, but what should be done? The answer lies in our return to God’s design, which means we need to initiate a plan for encouraging, promoting, and preparing more to lead.

The Urgency of Leadership

A description of the need to study leadership covers a wide spectrum. God’s design is the overarching premise by which we understand the necessity of leadership.

The lack of leadership, or the representation of poor leadership, is plaguing the church.

Decisions are left to the majority vote in a men’s business or congregational meeting. Sadly, the minority generally rules when this occurs.

According to God’s design, elders (leaders) were appointed to shepherd and provide biblical direction for God’s people. When this does not occur, the church suffers.

Therefore, the urgency for biblical leadership must be a priority for His church today.

Leading in the Home

Scripture indicates that God designed every area of leadership, beginning with the home.

God designed the home with leadership. Paul reminds us of that design, “The husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church” (Ep. 5:23). This explains why he instructs husbands, “Love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her” (v. 25).

Love indicates something significant in the direction of leadership. Husbands must give their best in the home.

To properly lead in other areas of life, we must build the right foundation in the home and ensure that husbands give their best in leading our wives and loving them as Christ loved the church.

God’s Design

Why is it important to study, promote, consider, and develop areas of leadership?

After attending a Bible class focused on marriage, I began to think about the emphasis on God’s design for marriage. I was intrigued with how often we want someone to tell us how to “fix” the problem.

Rarely do we go back to God’s design. As a result, we continue to struggle with the same problems and issues that have plagued the home for millennia. Successful marriages recognize and follow God’s design. It is that simple!

What about leadership? Could it really be that simple? Yes! The answer begins with God’s design.

Potential to Grow

The following expression is significant: “Every conversation is important. When a specific wording is missed or an inappropriate judgment made, it can temporarily or permanently stunt another person’s potential to grow in leadership.”

If we understood how our words might promote or hinder the leadership potential of another person, would we give more careful thought to what we say?

Solomon reminds us that the power of life and death are in the tongue. With our words we either build up or tear down.

We must not allow anything to influence our words in such a way that it would discourage someone from reaching their leadership potential.

Prepared by the Past

I once saw a billboard with the following statement, “The past does not define, it prepares.”

Perspective proves to be reality for all of us. When we consider the perspective we hold on our past, it is amazing how often we define our lives by it.

Regardless of what has happened, good or bad, success or failure, how different would the future be if we lived with the perspective that our past only prepared us from something greater?

We cannot live in the past. We certainly cannot change it. Why not use the opportunity to view the past as a foundation for the future God has in store?