Tag: SIBI

Informing Others

The challenge to leadership exists when there is a lack of communication.

When leaders do not keep others informed, people grow suspicious, begin to distrust leaders, doubt a leaders ability, and become anxious.

However, when leaders keep others informed, great things can happen.

What kind of information needs to be provided?

Inform others why changes are being made.
Inform others of the plans for the change.
Inform others of who will be needed to accomplish the change.
Inform others of challenges / or hindrances facing the plans.
Inform others of the needs.

When leaders communicate / inform others, trustworthy and loyal relationships develop. It is time for God’s leaders to lead.

Global Leadership

How does the word global have a place in leadership?

The influence of one person can move a nation, lead an army, direct a revolution, carve out a place in history, or change the life of one person.

We far too often underestimate what can be done with the influence we have on the circle of people we meet on a daily basis.

Instead of thinking how can we do something revolutionary, why not think of changing the life of one person. Who knows how God may be working through the person we influence to make a global difference.

When Jesus Prayed

When Jesus prayed…

He anticipated returning to the Father, glorifying the One who sent Him.

He asked for protection over those given to Him, entrusted with the task of continuing the work.

He added a request for unity among all who would believe in Him through their word.

He addressed the problem of the world’s lack of knowing the Creator and the One sent by Him.

Imagine the difference that could be made in the world today if leaders spent time focused on praying for these four areas.

Choices

In our lifetime we will make millions of decisions. Most of these decisions come with little or no consequential value. Obviously, we know some decisions carry major consequences: who one marries, where they live, having children, and a career are a few.

How powerful is it to realize each day provides an opportunity to make the right choices?

No leader is exempt from making wrong decisions. The key is how we handle ourselves when the wrong decisions are made and how we approach making the right ones in the future.

Extremism

How many times in the political arena do we hear the thought expressed of someone being extreme left or extreme right?

Being extreme, however, is not limited to the political arena. We quite often find the beast of extremism within the church.

Brethren often become extreme in their approach and teaching, which leads to division in the church.

Our responsibility is to learn the difference between Biblical teaching and personal opinion.

In a time where we need to prevent the world’s influence on the church, let us not become so extreme that our actions portray what we are trying to prevent.

Knowing Who We Lead

Is it possible to spiritually lead others without knowing them? Leaders must know their dreams, aspirations, hopes, and personal goals.

Years ago, a former boss told me, “If you take care of those under you, they will take care of you.”

A leader cannot look out for the well-being of people without knowing them.

Nothing is more important than knowing the needs of others and providing for those needs.

The four basic needs include physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. Our culture generally uses this order. However, spiritual leaders understand the necessity of reversing it.

We must be given to meeting the spiritual needs of others.

Developing Leaders

If there was one word leaders need to understand for the success of the church, it would be develop.

The goal of teaching was to present every person mature in Christ. God gave gifts to various individuals for the purposing of helping the church develop, achieving unity and maturity in the faith.

Developing faith and relationship with God is the vital responsibility of leadership.

We must lead others to a greater love and understanding of His word.
We must assist Christians in using their God given abilities in His service.
We must encourage the expression of God’s grace toward others.

Leadership is about development. Let’s get started.

A Prayer for Sight

One of the great prayers in the Old Testament is found in 2 Kings 6:17 where Elisha said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Elisha prayed that God would help his servant see beyond what the physical eye could behold to witness a far greater battle.

Leaders must pray for others to see a spiritual realm of truth. The idea is about an ability to see through the eye of faith and recognize the greatness of our God.

The prayer of a leader moves the One who moves the universe. May He open all our eyes to see more clearly and fully.

Finish Well

Endurance is a powerful sentiment for leadership. Endurance also points to the nature in which one finishes.

Yes, we are all aware it is not about finishing first, but it is about finishing well. Years ago the phrase was coined, “Finish like a runner.” No matter how slow the pace is during the race, when it comes to finishing the race, finish like a runner, finish strong.

In leadership circles, the idea of finishing well is used to indicate the need to avoid the point of abandoning the faith and the purpose for which we lead.

Let us finish, but let us finish well.

A Leadership Gift

People tend to enjoy receiving gifts. Usually, we appreciate the intent more than the price. I like the way Paul said it, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way if it benefited others. Specifically, he desired their salvation.

In a self-serving world, it is challenging to find leaders who desire more to give than receive. As spiritual leaders, we focus on giving ourselves so others might be saved.

Our prayer should be to see the ways we can spend and be spent in the Lord’s service.