Tag: Spiritual

Leading as a Friend…

Friendship is a relationship of mutual trust and support. We have all witnessed the powerful effects of true friendship. 

Leadership is not always seen this way. Leadership is often seen as a lonely position. We hear the idea expressed, “It’s lonely at the top.”

However, if we are going to fulfill the responsibility of spiritual leadership we must be involved in the lives of others, developing friendships.

Jesus was called “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Mt. 11:19). When leaders develop relationships of mutual trust and support, friendships blossom that provide a source of strength and encouragement for life’s challenges.

Most importantly, we help others get to heaven.

A Unique Leader…

Being unique applies to almost anything or anyone.

The more unique the more desirable, valuable, and popular.

What about our leadership is unique?

Potentially, our purpose is what makes leadership unique. In reality, it is the only part of leadership that is unique.

Spiritual leadership has one purpose unlike anything else, special and unusual. This purpose was born out of the unconditional love of the Creator for His creation, a purpose to be demonstrated one to another. 

This purpose is what keeps us focused and leads to the only hope for all of humanity. Helping others find this hope is what makes a unique leader.

Transitional Leadership…

Every individual and group experiences at least one, if not multiple, transitions. These transitions are not always life changing, but they can alter our lives in ways that never leave us the same.

Transitions occur both physically and spiritually. They arise on individual and congregational levels.

How do we lead during times of transition?

Learn how to recognize a transition is developing.
Accept transitions as part of growth.
Demonstrate patience toward others during transitions.
Remember the common good of the whole.
Focus on the goal and how to endure.

If we practice these ideas during transitions, our leadership will help guide others through any situation.

Leadership Ambition…

Ambition involves a desire to achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work.

The difficulty arises when we consider where our ambition lies.

Are we ambitious to achieve financial security?

Is our ambition driven by power and authority?

Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities?

Or, can we say our ambition is motivated by a spiritual focus?

When our leadership is driven by the kind of ambition that seeks to please the Lord, the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

Role of the Shepherd…#4

The second statement closely follows yesterday’s thought. Jesus says, “I gave them the words you gave me.” He repeats the idea by saying, “I have given them your word.”

Shepherds are responsible for spiritually feeding the sheep and the spiritual food required for God’s sheep is His word.

In Psalm 23, David relates a similar thought, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Shepherds know where to lead sheep that they might eat what is best for them. 

Today, the idea rests upon providing the spiritual food that strengthens and sustains the sheep. Know the word of God and use its nutrition to help the sheep grow.

Apathy and Indifference…

Has apathy and indifference robbed us of our faith?

Today’s news is old by tomorrow and forgotten the day after. We are bombarded with change, and these changes occur so quickly there is no accurate measurement of time to gauge it. 

We are so easily and quickly bored with the events that come and go that it doesn’t matter any more, nor do we care. 

Spiritually, we are not keeping up with these changes. Therefore, have apathy and indifference robbed us of our fire?

Leaders must guard against both. 

When we care about the people and events around us, we work to protect them from spiritual tragedy. Let us rise up!

Nutritional Leaders…

Health, healthy food, and exercise seem quite popular these days. It appears that physical exercise is directly related to the nutritional value of the food we eat. Go figure.

Consider a connection to leadership.

The healthier the food, the healthier the body. Isn’t this true of leadership? The healthier the leadership, the healthier the followers.

It is easier to talk about, than do. Wow! How true. Every leader knows that talking about leading is easier than leading.

Good nutrition extends the quality of life. Leaders who feed followers a nutritious spiritual diet extend the quality of both leader and follower.

The benefits of a nutritional leader help both sides.

Guardians of the Faith…

Guarding the faith of Christians is not an easy task? The battle is fierce. The danger is great. The opportunities for success may be few. 

However, with God on our side we are assured victory.

Satan works to fill our schedules to overflowing. We get busy with so much stuff we have no time left for eternal matters.

While it is true for each of us individually, we can also get so busy with programs and activities within the church we lose sight of our purpose.

We need balance. When we allow these things to push out the spiritual, Satan can steal our faith. 

We need guardians.

A Centered Leader…

What is our center? Who are we at the core?

A spiritually motivated center demonstrates qualities of godliness toward others, rather than simply developing self.

Determining our center is not as easy as it may sound. Learning to be honest about what we seek in life will help us on this journey. Consider these questions.

1) Do we feel inconvenienced by others?
2) Are we motivated by self-preservation? 
3) Are times in prayer and study difficult to work into our schedule? 
4) Where do we find the most pleasure?
5) Are our words and actions self-centered or others-directed?

Honest answers will help us understand our center.

Solving Problems…

No one likes problems. We tend to shy away from a place where we must deal with them.

Colin Powell says, “Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”

The thought of followers reaching a point where they do not bring their problems because they lose confidence or feel we do not care is frightening. Leaders should consider why problems come their way.

Learning how to resolve conflict and solve problems brings credibility to leadership.