Tag: Spiritual

A Leadership Method

What method is used to improve our understanding of spiritual leadership?

What method will best grow or develop our spiritual focus?

What method will we implement to achieve the goals established for those we lead?

Several years ago, I heard someone say, “Any method will work, if we will work the method.”

Improvement, growth, and implementation are words that indicate work. Something has to be done in order to achieve our goals and the method designed is the means by which it will be accomplished.

Determining the right method is a key component to our leadership.

Leadership Opportunities…

An opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. If we are unable to see the possibilities, we will not take advantage of the opportunity.

Leadership requires us to see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities when they arise.

Few people turn down an opportunity to double an investment in a short period of time. We know we have to strike while the iron is hot.

The same is true spiritually. Unless we see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities, the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus fades to indifference.

Seek, Ask, and Knock.

The Map…

Where are we going? Do we know? What is needed to get there? How will we know when we arrive?

We make application of this daily, but spiritual matters tend to be a completely different story.

The spiritual approach must be no different. We know the destination and we desire to get there. We anticipate the arrival, but do we know what we need to get there?

Since our destination is heaven, the map God has provided is laid out through the pages of His word.

If we know how foolish it is not to follow a map into unknown places, imagine how much more foolish it is when the eternal destination is far more consequential?

Wisdom and Courage…

Wisdom and courage warrant discussion on many levels and have for a long time. These two qualities or attributes are critical to the development of leaders.

Mark Amend says, “Wisdom is learning to let go when you want to hang on. Courage is learning to hang on when you want to let go.”

Learning to let go even when our emotions are telling us something contrary and learning to hang on when the appearance of letting go makes sense are foundational components to demonstrating wisdom and courage.

Spiritual leaders today need to learn the potent combination of both.

Ability vs Character…

John Wooden once said, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

We have all seen people with great ability, college and professional athletes, musicians, and others in the entertainment field. However, ability does not equal character.

Without character, regardless of the ability, it is impossible to have lasting leadership.

Nothing is more significant for spiritual leaders than humility. When spiritual influence is guided by a humble spirit, character naturally follows. When combined with ability, we find the staying power of Christlike leadership.

Preparation…

Great leadership knows how to address matters of greater importance.

Jesus was masterful at directing one’s focus toward the spiritual. One example involved the disciples’ concern over the destruction of the temple, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age.

Jesus addressed their concerns, but He then took them further into events surrounding judgment.

He wanted them to know something greater than the destruction of the temple was coming, and the reason for teaching this truth was to encourage preparation for that day.

Our leadership is the same. It’s about preparing others for that day.

The Right Leader…

Solomon was certainly right when he said, “The writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body” (Ec. 12:12).

God’s word reveals information sufficient for what is right and the right leader to follow.

No greater leadership qualities are identified than those in God’s word.

No greater example can be found than the example left by Jesus.

The best way to honor and glorify God is by leading with our eyes focused on Jesus and our hearts devoted to following His word.

When followers have this example in spiritual leaders, they will follow the right leader.

Modeling Leadership…

Few words are more familiar than Ruth’s expression of faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God.”

The spiritual influence developed within the home is powerful. Sadly, many homes have forsaken the opportunity to influence their children with a godly foundation.

Home is where parents have an opportunity to provide refuge and focus on the presence of God, where they model the example of Christ, and where children learn the meaning of submission.

Where we go, our children will go. Children should be led to conclude, “…and your God, my God.”

Reliance…

Spiritual leaders understand the need to rely upon God. They are reliant upon His guidance, direction, strength, and provisions.

Spiritual leaders are also aware of the fact that followers are also reliant upon them for the same.

Guidance provides advice and instruction in how to live.
Direction shows the way, primarily the way to heaven.
Strength is needed to keep moving toward the right goal.
Provisions are given to continue, even when all else fails.

These four areas are all directly related to our reliance upon God and leading His people. May our role never be taken lightly.

Spiritual Companionship…

“No matter what stage of development, we need spiritual companions – mentors and guides, friends and peers along the journey” (Reese and Loane, Deep Mentoring).

The need for spiritual companionship should be obvious. In Matthew’s gospel, we find a significant word, behold. Matthew wants the reader to pay attention and observe. One observation is in the name Immanuel, God with us, the power of His presence. The true nature of spiritual companionship involves being present.

If God left the glory of heaven to be with us––to be present––then we should recognize that spiritual companionship necessitates our being present and involved in the journey with others.