Tag: Spiritual

Reliance

When considering the idea of dependent leadership, a number of words are associated, the primary of which is reliance. Spiritual leaders understand the need to rely upon God. They are dependent upon His guidance, direction, strength, and provisions to lead others.

Spiritual leaders are also aware of the fact that followers are also dependent upon them to provide the same.

Guidance, direction, strength, and provisions are all directly related to the dependence that is associated with our relationship with God and those who fill the role of leading God’s people.

This role supplies all the basic components to our growth in relationship with God and others.

Mentoring

Mentoring usually involves an experienced and trusted advisor who trains and counsels someone else. The mentoring relationship may extend any where from a few days to a few years depending on the nature and purpose of the relationship.

As a spiritual influence in the lives of others, we all want to pursue ways we can mentor someone in developing maturity in their faith.

Our approach should be based on the methods of Jesus.

Take a moment to pray about someone who can be a mentor and pray for someone you can mentor.

The Past

We are all shaped by the events of our past. It may be teaching, experience, or influence. They are either positive or negative as we consider how the past shapes us.

Paul was an apostle molded by his family heritage, academic credentials, knowledge of Old Testament scripture, and zealous attack against the church.

However, he did not allow the past to dictate the direction of his future. Paul’s focus quickly became spiritually and heavenly directed.

We cannot relive or change the past. As leaders, we must learn from the past in order to prevent repeating areas that hinder our influence and focus.

Choice of Christianity

When we make the choice of Christianity, it informs every decision from that point. The type of job we choose will be different as a Christian. Who we marry will be determined by the choice of Christianity. The way we raise our children and where we live are both influenced by Christianity.

When leaders provide an example by their choice spiritually, as demonstrated in their physical choices, they are taking a step in the right direction of leadership as God intends.

Now is the best time to start making the kind of choices that will change the direction of our lives and the influence we have with others.

Self-Differentiated Leaders

Edwin Friedman identified a number of concepts associated with a self-differentiated leader.

They know who they are: There is clarity about their life goals and they possess a great self-awareness.

They are part of the system, but not controlled by it: They can be separate while remaining connected, manage their own reactivity to others, and are less likely to become lost in the anxious emotional processes around them.

They are able to take stands at the risk of displeasing others: As a steward who balances presence and technique, they have the ability to deal with the super responsible and vulnerable.

Equipping leaders under this umbrella provides a greater maturity for spiritual leadership.

The Mind of Christ

A spiritual leader invests in seeking the mind of Christ.

Paul highlights a Christlike motive: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.”

He identifies the foundational attitude: “But with humility of mind.”

The concluding activity is vital to the mind of Christ: “Regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

The significance of understanding the mind of Christ must be coupled with the need to seek the mind of Christ.

When these two areas meet, leadership provides a Christlike direction for others.

Knowing God

Spiritual leadership involves qualities, traits, virtues, and principles that are instrumental in guiding one’s character formation.

The foundation is to know God.

Jesus said eternal life aligns with knowing God and the One sent by Him.

Paul also spoke of the significance of knowing God by claiming his willingness to count everything as loss for the “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8).

Heritage, material possessions, academic achievement, and religious position were all worthless in view of this knowledge.

Leadership God’s way is driven by a passion to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

Visionary Leadership

A visionary leads with the future in mind. From a spiritual perspective, nothing is more important than what the eternal future holds for Christians.

More pragmatically, leaders must consider what the future of their leadership looks like.

Will the future hold growth and development for the church?

Will the future be a place where vision points to a stronger leadership?

Will the future exist because of our visionary ability?

The future of leadership must be built on prayer, and leaders should prepare for the future with God’s word as a guide.

Tomorrow’s leaders must be encouraged today in order to be ready.

Insight

We find it is fairly common (somewhere around 40-ish) that our arm does not extend out quite far enough to read print on a page.

Two conditions normally occur: 1) near-sightedness – the ability to see things up close, but not far away, and 2) far-sightedness – the ability to see things far away, but not up close.

Spiritually, leaders must avoid both. Leaders need the ability to see what is going on up close around them, knowing the present needs that exist. They must also have the kind of vision that makes it possible to see what will occur down the road. Perhaps the appropriate term is “insight.”

Strong Leadership

We need to be strong in every area of life: physically, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.

Through the aging process we are all aware of the decline in our physical strength. There are times when a decline in emotional and intellectual strength also occurs.

The most frightening area connected to this decline in strength occurs in the spiritual realm.

Paul encourages Christians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God” (Ep. 6:10-11).

Examining each piece of armor reveals a close relationship to God’s word. Our strength comes from what God provides through His word.