Tag: SIBI

Changing Self

Think about the implications of a thought expressed by Rumi, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Most people associated with spiritual leadership desire to change the world. However, an unending list of questions would need to be answered to even consider the task.

The idea of changing others cannot be achieved by compulsion or coercion. If change is achieved by such means the results will not last.

When we focus on changing ourselves we provide a living testimony for the world as to the benefits that come from implementing such change.

Leadership Download

Think about the concept of “downloading.” Literally, the idea is about transferring information from one source to another in an understandable format.

Downloading a virus can hinder, shut down, and/or destroy the function of your device.

Computers also download updates beneficial to the overall performance of the device.

Spiritual leaders know followers are constantly downloading information from them. Is the information hindering, shutting down, or destroying the function of their service? Are they providing information in an understandable, beneficial format? Does the information improve the overall performance of the individual or group?

Leaders make a difference. Make sure those who follow download the right material.

Noah

Noah never led a large group of people: just his wife, three sons, and their spouses. Take a closer look at his leadership.

Character: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” Very few in scripture matched his character.

Ability to follow:
Noah did all the Lord commanded. Noah followed God. Before anyone can lead they must learn to follow.

Fortitude: He was a preacher of righteousness. His tenure was approximately 120 years. No one was converted, but he never swayed from the course.

These three qualities identify a great biblical leader. The same is true today.

Essential Leadership

What is essential and what is not? Spiritually speaking, there are many answers: Here are four.

1) Character: General Schwarzkopf said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”

2) Passion: It’s about sacrifice. Knowing what we are willing to give up is essential to our leadership.

3) Vision: Vision is about seeing into the future. Faith is essential to the vision of spiritual leadership.

4) Goals: David Schwartz said, “Goals are as essential to success as air is to life.” Goals are the essential fuel for leading.

These are only four areas that are essential to our leadership.

Leading Spiritual Growth

One of the greatest challenges facing Christian leaders involves measuring spiritual growth. Perhaps a place to start is our activities in life.

Consider developing an application Paul’s instruction in Colossians 3, “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Begin with minimizing the way we focus on the things of this earth. We could focus on spending fifteen minutes each day with turning the cell phone, computer, television, and other electronic devices off. Practice spending these few moments in silence and allow God to fill our thoughts.

Once we are comfortable with fifteen minutes, add five more.

The Power of Choice

Far too many people take credit for the good in their lives and quickly find ways to blame someone else for the bad.

We also live in a culture that believes happiness is wrapped up in external circumstances and the environment in which they were born. The result promotes an if only mindset. If only the circumstances or environment were different, happiness could be found.

When we recognize that the quality of life is based on our choices, it influences the way we view and approach life.

To begin the life God designed for us requires us to live each day as a divinely given gift.

A Divine Mission

A mission refers to an objective or purpose to be achieved. What is our mission? What is our objective or purpose? What are we really trying to achieve? Do we have a mission?

Sadly, as spiritual leaders, our mission often becomes more about what we want to achieve, rather than what God wants us to achieve.

Extremism occurs when dealing with party issues, petty ideas, or personal opinions. These become our focus and we lose sight of God’s mission.

Leaders must remain balanced. They must believe in the priority of God’s mission.

May we always lead God’s people in unity and work together to fulfill His mission.

Head and Heart Leadership

Using our head in leading means we:
…think before we speak or act.
…consider the short- and long-term consequences of our words and actions.
…weigh the evidence and ask evaluating questions before making decisions.

Using our heart in leading means we:
…devote ourselves to learning and serving the needs of others.
…prioritize our time toward relationship development.
…risk temporary satisfaction for eternal gain.

If we work to develop and practice a more “others-focused” approach, the future will take on a whole new perspective.

Advocate

When people struggle with their faith, do they know they have an advocate?
When people face the challenges of daily life, are we there as an advocate?
When others step up to accept responsibility, will we be an advocate for them?

Everyone needs someone who walks by their side as a champion for them. Whether it is during a time of temptation, personal trial, or spiritual growth, leaders must be an advocate for those who follow.

The necessity of such is vital to the development of the Lord’s church. We all need to know our Advocate, Jesus, and followers need to know the advocate they have in leadership.

Think Before Speaking

The challenge of any generation is living in a culture that gives little thought to the impact of words. The old acronym GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) identifies far more about the heart than we might want to acknowledge.

How can we learn to improve the words we use? One particular family set up a coin jar where each time they yelled, it cost money.

Imagine the impact if inappropriate language, words spoken in anger/frustration, or spoken in haste took money out of our wallet that we could not get back. Maybe we would learn to think before we speak.